Wrapping up the winter warmth
The project was so well received by the community that the Durban North couple managed to collect 300 jerseys and countless items of clothing.
TWO months ago Durban North residents, Jackie and Mark Gaines, initiated their Jersey June campaign for their organisation, the Jingle Bell Project (JBP), in the hope of sharing the warmth among less fortunate community members.
However, the couple’s selfless efforts snowballed into a much bigger outcome than they could ever have expected.
Their project was so well received by the community that the Gaineses managed to collect 300 jerseys and countless items of clothing, which were distributed among the pupils at the Youth for Christ Tennyson House in Umgeni and the children of the Emolweni community at Khulanikahle Childcare and Support Centre.
Additionally, the duo managed to deliver 106 school jerseys to various underprivileged schools within the Durban area through the help of Key of Hope.
“To us, it was more than simply giving someone a jersey. It was an honour for us to sit and talk to the young women from the Youth for Christ centre. This allowed them to open up to us about some of their experiences. It was also about sharing the love and letting these women know that there are people who truly care,” said Jackie.
Recently, the duo ended their winter campaign when they visited the Durban-based NPO, Natal Settlers, where they distributed 35 hand-knitted blankets. Now they will begin initiating their Build a Blessing Bag Christmas Hamper Campaign for the elderly this festive season.
Donations can be dropped off at the JBP’s headquarters – the Durban North Baptist Church.
The Gaineses also urged people to visit their Facebook page and to highlight any communities or initiatives that needs assistance.
Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa also added some joy to the projects by providing the organisation with enough food to feed the three organisations for four months.
