Open your heart for the elderly by supporting TenderHeart Foundation

TenderHeart Foundation’s annual Christmas Cracker project is asking for residents’ assistance to help them buy gifts for the elderly.

The project has grown since its inception six years ago.

“We started small but every year so far, the project keeps growing, with more people coming on board to spread joy to the elderly,” said Lornette.

The project was birthed by three sisters, Lornette Joseph, Coral Bowler and Mandy Whitehead, when they decided to make Christmas a little brighter for the elderly with a special Christmas gift.

In the first year the sisters, along with their families, bought 35 gifts for the residents of Elandsvallei Home for the Aged in Primrose.

Now the project gives over 300 gifts to the elderly in different homes.

Lornette said the project is more than just giving gifts.

“This project is about sharing love and kindness. It’s also about spending a few precious moments with the residents to share an ice cream or a laugh,” said Lornette.

Community members are requested to donate bags containing the following:

• Facecloth
• Soap
• Aqueous cream/Vaseline
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Powder
• Deodorant
• Tasty treats (biscuits or soft sweets)
• An item of clothes (socks, gloves or scarves)
• A little gift, for example, playing cards, puzzle books (like Suduko or crossword puzzles), adult colouring-in books, a medicine organiser/pill box, a memory journal and pen, a broach, a torch, a fridge magnet photo frame, a key finder, a glasses holder, a cellphone bag or a sweetie jar.

“Anything that someone wishes to give will be fantastic because then it means we don’t have to buy that specific item. Every little bit helps,” said Lornette.

The items should be placed into a normal plastic bag and clearly marked male or female.

This year the team hopes to reach as many elderly residents as possible and they are appealing to the community to make this goal a reality. Their target is 450.

“It’s been a tough year and some were more affected than others. We want to cheer the elderly up and remind them they are still loved,” said Lornette.

TenderHeart Foundation is supported by the Germiston City News and Bedfordview Edenvale News as a drop off point for donations.

Those who wish to support the project can drop off their donations at one of the following points:

• GCN and NEWS office at 25 Main Road, Fishers Hill. Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.
• Majestic Nursery at 90 Webber Road in Lambton.
• DeadBird Tattoo at Cedar Corner at the corner of First Avenue and Webber Road in Lambton.
• Sugars Bakery at 118 Terrace Road in Edenvale.
• Country Flowers at 150 Queen Street in Kensington.

A bin will be placed at all the locations of these drop-off points. For those who would like to make cash donations, community members can use the following banking details: Tenderheart Foundation, Wadeville, 251542, account number: 62829445239.

Please use your name and Christmas Cracker (CC) as a reference. The collection will close on December 16.

For more information on Tenderheart Foundation or the project, call Lornette on 083 847 4510 or send an email to Ccracker15@gmail.com

Contact the newsroom by emailing:

Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,  or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.