Pretty Things for Little Things awards ceremony
Age in Action, a non-profit organisation who offers care to the elderly, in conjunction with Checkers and Shoprite supermarket chains, hosted the Pretty Things for Little Things campaign.
POLOKWANE – Age in Action, a non-profit organisation who offers care to the elderly, in conjunction with Checkers and Shoprite supermarket chains, hosted the Pretty Things for Little Things campaign.
The supermarket group believes in the potential inherent in the youth of our country, and that our children should be provided with opportunities to not only grow and learn, but also to feel happy and nurtured.
In keeping with this commitment to the youth, the Checkers and Shoprite supermarket chains sponsor several projects aimed at enriching the lives of our country’s children, especially those less privileged.
The Pretty Things for Little Things campaign urged customers, especially senior citizens, to put their creative talents to work and make clothing and toys for underprivileged children.
On Wednesday, 4 November, they held a prize giving ceremony to thank everyone who contributed. Johannalie Knoetze, provincial director of Age in Action, said: “We are all here today because we care about children. Shoprite and Checkers sponsors the event because they care about the children and the elderly. We host the event because we care about you and the children.”
Through the creative and generous contributions made by the public this campaign has, since its inception thirteen years ago, collected and distributed more than 145 000 handmade clothes, toys and blankets to underprivileged children across South Africa. “Together you have made 2 329 items for the children in Limpopo. The purpose of today is to announce the winners of Pretty Things for Little Things 2015, to say thank you and to enjoy each other’s company,” said Knoetze.
The Pretty Things for Little Things campaign calls on entrants to make anything practical, durable and safe that a child can wear or play with. Articles can be made of any resources available and can be entered into four categories: soft toys, blankets, clothing, and other articles made from materials such as wood, tin or wire. The project is open to everyone, but only citizens of 65 years and older who enter their handiwork stand a chance to win generous vouchers that can be used at Checkers, Checkers Hyper or Shoprite stores nationwide.
Three winners per category are selected in each province and the three provincial winners receive gift vouchers to the value of R2 500, R2 000 and R1 500 respectively. They then go through to the final judging round in which three national winners are chosen per category. “We also have prizes for the oldest person to participate, the club that made the most items and the individual who made the most items,” Knoetze explained. Checkers and Shoprite, in conjunction with Age in Action, would like to thank everyone who participated in and contributed to this worthy initiative over the years, and challenged customers and senior citizens to keep on knitting, sewing, building and crafting so the joy can be spread even further in the coming years.
