Book drive shows community cares
WINDSOR EAST – Cresta Shopping Centre dropped off over 5 000 books over the Christmas period that had been donated by the public to a local charity.
Cresta Shopping Centre dropped off over 5 000 books that had been donated by the public over the Christmas period to the Tshepo Community Development Initiative on 2 February.
Over the festive season, the centre asked its shoppers who have a passion for reading to donate new or pre-loved books to help the Windsor East community NGO.
The greater Randburg community helped the shopping centre donate the books to the 80 students who make use of the Tshepo Library, with books wrapped in silver wrapping paper, opened by the children on the day.
“I would just like to acknowledge the fabulous spirit of generosity from the Cresta community. As Cresta Shopping Centre, nothing makes us happier than giving back to our community by encouraging community togetherness,” said Elena Yiallouris, marketing manager of Cresta Shopping Centre.
Yiallouris continued, “Community development is something close to our hearts, and just seeing the multitude of books donated by the public to help this initiative, is truly a cause for celebration.”
According to Yiallouris, Exclusive Books heard about the initiative and decided that they could also lend a hand.
“I must give a big word of thanks to Exclusive Books. We went to the store to purchase more books with money that had been contributed towards the initiative, and they decided to match the donation rand for rand.”
Patrick Dlamini of the Tshepo Community Development Initiative was overwhelmed with the number of books donated.
“Our library will need an upgrade to accommodate all these books. We have a lovely shelf built by a donor, but it will not be able to hold over 5 000 books,” said Dlamini.
Based in the Windsor East Recreation Centre, the charity has been running for over 10 years and is an initiative of a couple of churches around the Linden, Northcliff and Fairland area.
The NGO saw a dire need for an aftercare facility to help parents of the feeder schools in the area who could not afford other ones.
The facility has teachers and mentors who help the students with their homework and other academic activities.
Dlamini added, “We also have teenagers, adults and others who make use of our facilities. These books will be a benefit to everyone.”
The NGO is also appealing to computer service providers in the area to help with updated hardware.
“We have many job seekers who use the computers in our library and who have found employment thanks to them.”
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