Cotlands partners with SOJO for 5km Green Walk

Cotlands has announced that they have partnered with SOJO to host a 5km Green Walk awareness campaign. The event will also involve PIKITUP, who will be extending their Trash to Treasure and Sorting at Source campaign for this month.

“Our purpose is to engage with the local community and encourage them to take ownership of their surrounding areas by getting involved in keeping it clean and safe. We want to have the walk to clean up the surrounding areas of Turffontein, which is where Cotlands is based, and thereby provide safe and clean spaces for the children who live and play in the area,” said Cotlands’ Sharon Smith.

The event will take place on Saturday March 29 at Hoërskool Die Fakkel in Forest Hill, where PIKITUP will issue three different coloured bags to the participants, who will walk and clean at the same time on the day, and are also supplying their gig-rig with music for entertainment.

The Environmental Health Department will have an education stall and the mobile clinics will be present to do blood pressure, blood glucose and HIV status testing.

Cotlands and SOJO say the reason for this walk is the apparent and gradual degeneration of this area over the past months. All funds raised for the walk will be donated to Cotlands to ensure they can continue to provide all South African children with early learning facilities and safe places to play.

Other local council departments are also committed to the initiative in the hope of educating the community about good citizenry. City Parks will be cutting grass, JRA will be fixing potholes and replacing drain covers, City Power will inspect connections and Building Control will monitor building activities.

“We would like to use this platform to also educate the community about their responsibility towards keeping their area clean by involving them in the process, which will hopefully make the exercise sustainable. The local council departments will also play their part in the education process,” they added.

A 5km route has been selected, which starts and ends at Hoërskool Die Fakkel. What’s needed are all the departments to be on board to clean up rubbish, cut grass, fix potholes, storm water drains, water leaks, to check law infringements such as illegal building and dumping.

“We want to include all the communities, residents, churches, schools and businesses in the area, and anyone else who believes in keeping SA green to get involved.”

In line with PIKITUP’s current Recycle Drive and education roll-out, the entrants will walk and collect trash that can be converted into treasure, and in this case improvised or recycled toys. Cotlands already has a system in place, where they make toys out of recyclable material for use in the communities.

Cotlands and SOJO are looking for support and sponsorships in the printing of A1 street pole posters – a quantity of 100; printing A5 flyers for distribution – quantity 3000; and t-shirts with printing for all walkers – quantities dependable on entries, a branding opportunity; peak caps for all walkers, a branding opportunity; sun block for goody bags; or sponsored teams to apply at starting point, another branding opportunity.

Also needed are support on the route in the form of watering holes with entertainment or sweetie stations, coffee stations or rest spots for moms and babies – a business advertising opportunity.

“This is an amazing opportunity to provide support for a green initiative, which is hosted by the children’s NGO, business forum and local council. Branding on the route and on products is available. Activations on route is also available.”

Prizes and goody bag inserts are optional. Please contact us for more information on how you can get involved to make a difference in a child’s life and create community awareness in the South of Joburg.