The Salvation Army is appealing for help to make the festive season special for the little ones at their crèche and the pensioners and residents of the Goodwill Centre.
Assistant Centre manager Antonette Grobler said they are appealing to ‘the wonderful people and companies of Benoni’ for Christmas gifts for the children in their crèche and for food donations for the older people in their care.
The crèche closes on December 15 and all the little ones are from low-income households where there are either no parents or only one parent working.
“Our residents who stay on the property consist of pensioners and homeless individuals,” Grobler added.
The ages and genders of the children in the crèche to help with gift ideas:
• Two boys and one girl aged three.
• Four boys and two girls aged four.
• Eight boys and three girls aged five.
• Three boys aged six.
Concerning the pensioners and residents of the Goodwill Centre, Grobler said they would appreciate food donations. “We would be blessed to receive donations of meat, cakes, biscuits, vegetables, tea, coffee, sugar and eggs – we will be thankful for food donations of any kind. We also always need toiletry items and cleaning materials,” she said.
The 46 pensioners total consist of 24 men and 22 women.
The Goodwill Centre houses 53 residents.
Donations can be dropped at the centre, 117 Howard Avenue. Gates close at 18:30 and donors can ask for Major Mimmie Payne or Antonette Grobler if they need assistance. Contact the centre on 011 422 4418 for more information.
ALSO READ: Salvation Army forced to close its gates
ALSO READ: Salvation Army’s work now more secure