It was a day of giving, laughter, and sharing the love.
* Unilever donated boxes of Rama margarine, powder soaps, Sunlight bar soaps, Lifebuoy liquid hand wash, Flora cooking oil, detergents, Dove roll-on and Vaseline.
Some Unilever staff members also donated clothing and those who couldn’t make it donated R67 each.
Four Unilever branches made this donation possible.
“No one hesitated to contribute. The only question that was asked was how much items were needed,” said Ongezwa Soya from Unilever.
“Unilever gives support to NGOs in its community and is no stranger to this kind of doing. Everyone went an extra mile to assist with this good cause.
“Those who aren’t here are looking after the branch, but are here in spirit.”
* Woolworths South-East region filled the patients’ stomachs with fruit, snacks and biscuits, and also prepared hot dogs for them over lunchtime.
According to Anthony Kuna, Foods Department Manager for the Northmead Square branch, the centre is one of their charities and always collects surplus foods from their Northmead Square, Elridge Corner and East Rand Retail Park branches.
“Today, we are doing something extra on Mandela Day by bringing the food to them and entertaining the children,” he said.
“We are here to give our love. One of Woolworths’s values is sustainability and we are looking at various other projects to help the community.”
* Members from Kasie FM 97.1 spent some time with the adult patients and handed out sponsored KFC for them to enjoy.
“The centre not only houses orphans but is also a hospice for adults. We will be spending time with the adults who normally gets neglected,” said Lebo Leigh Zwane.
Afro-Soul artist, Philisiwe, and vocal guitarist, Fugi, accompanied the team and provided live entertainment.
The Beanie and Socks Campaign donated beanies and socks to the adult patients, and Boxer Superstore also made a contribution.
The radio station broadcasted live from the centre for three hours in the afternoon.
* The East Rand Mall management also devoted their 67 minutes to the St Francis Care Centre by building a Tower of Hope with boxes filled with items from the centre’s wish list.
The tower was built in the shape of the number 67, in the food court of the mall.
The mall collected about 167 boxes from tenants and shoppers.
According to the mall marketing manager, Sonya Cawood, they will continue with this project for the centre up until Christmas.
“Please continue to purchase these boxes from the Concierge Desk at only R5 each,” said Cawood.
* Mega Mica Boksburg collected toothbrushes and toothpaste in an effort to ‘brightening the smiles’ of those less fortunate this Mandela Day.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed to this initiative. I think at some point we all take basic hygiene products for granted. No one should have to go without the basics,” said marketing manager, Brigitte Thysse.
Collected toothbrushes and toothpaste will be donated to the centre.
“Mega Mica Boksburg takes pride in knowing we are contributing to brightening the smiles of those around us, on Mandela Day,” said the director of Mega Mica Boksburg, Terry Lentzakis.
