‘Tis the season to give
SUNDOWNER – Lend a helping hand and make sure that the children from The Lighthouse Baby Shelter in Sundowner have a happy Christmas celebration in December.
Some kind volunteers need your help to give 11 children a very special Christmas celebration as they plan the first-ever annual Miracle Lighthouse Christmas Party.
Deborah Summers has decided that she wants to host a very special Christmas party for the 11 children – six girls and five boys aged between two and 14 –who currently live at the Lighthouse Baby Shelter in Sundowner. Although a venue and some entertainment has been arranged for the party on 15 December due to the help of Anne Filen of the Elf’s Hill kids party venue in Chartwell, they still need assistance making the day a magical experience.
“I’ve had a very difficult year, and wanted to do something to help others. A lot of people are facing challenges, and I want to remind them that you should never give up and keep on pushing through,” Summers explained.
“When thinking about who to help this festive season, I came across this quote from an anonymous writer: ‘Love cannot remain by itself, it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action and that action is service’. I decided that this is what I wanted to do, and I wanted to do it for the children of Lighthouse.”
The Lighthouse Baby Shelter was started in 2008 by founder Eleanor Dustan to provide a safe haven for abandoned unwanted babies and children and has cared for about 200 children since it was opened, 95 per cent of which have been adopted.
“I wanted to give abused and abandoned children a stable environment and a home to be proud of, as well as a good education,” Dustan explained. “We are not supported by the government and rely on donations from the public to cover expenses such as the children’s education, medical needs and other needs.
“They are so excited for this party! Normally we have a party for them here, but this is the first time the’ll be going out to do something at a venue, and they cannot wait to attend.”
So far Summers, Dustan and Filen have organised the Elf’s Hill venue free of charge, which will have a water slide for the children to enjoy, create party packs for them to take home and tea and coffee for adult attendees to have on the day. But more is still needed.
“We’re looking for donations of sweets for the children to enjoy, juice for the day, presents for the children are welcome and we’d also love it if someone volunteered to dress up as Father Christmas and interact with the children on the day,” said Summers.
More than just contributing to one party though, she hopes that readers use the opportunity to become familiar with Lighthouse and are inspired to help the organisation all year round.
“I hope this isn’t just a one-time thing. I’d love for people to support Eleanor and her work all year round, because they’re doing such an amazing thing and need help every month.”
The party is planned for 15 December. Anyone who is able to contribute should contact Deborah Summers.
Details: The Lighthouse Baby Shelter www.thelighthousebabyshelter.co.za; eleanor@homefinsa.co.za; 072 385 1884; 011 795 4207.
Deborah Summers dacmircom@gmail.com; WhatsApp 060 585 9454.
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