As the festive season approaches, many don’t feel that joyous spirit, for many unforeseen reasons. For those looking to lend a helping hand, here are a few charities you can visit:
· Hungry Hearts Foundation
Hungry Hearts holds charitable functions to raise awareness and funds for the places they assist within the community. The non-profit organisation welcomes donations of all perishable and non-perishable items, such as groceries, clothes and toys, which are handed out to the less fortunate. The foundation has a variety of projects in a year but annually hosts a number of events, with the next one being the Box of Blessings (Christmas) event.
Established: 2009
Contact person: Jessica Oberholzer
Phone: 076 538 1224
Physical Address: Rene Avenue, Discovery, Florida
Postal Address: P O Box 2504, Florida, 1709
Website: www.charitysa.co.za/hungry-hearts-foundation.html
· Dorcas South Africa
Dorcas Aid International is a Christian relief and development organisation committed to taking care of the poor and oppressed, irrespective of their race, religion, gender or political conviction, by encouraging self-reliance through development, providing social aid and assisting in emergency situations. The Charity Shop in Florida accepts donations of clothes, shoes, household goods, furniture, books and music, linen and non-perishable food. All goods are sold to raise funds for their social care work.
Established: 1996
Contact Person: Annette Reed
Phone: 011 672 9669
Postal Address: 4 Madeline Street, Florida, 1709
Physical Address: 4 Madeline Street, Florida, 1709
Website: www.dorcas.co.za
· Sparrow Rainbow Village
Sparrow Ministries Rainbow Village is located in Maraisburg, Gauteng and is a Children’s Home and Hospice, caring for homeless and destitute HIV/AIDS-infected and -affected children and adults who have been shunned by those around them, as well as people within the communities.
Established: February 1992
Contact person: Teresa Taljaard
Phone: 011 472 6628
Fax: 011 672 9852
Physical Address: Cnr Lola and Nadine Streets, Maraisburg
Postal Address: P O Box 1570, Florida, 1710
Website: www.sparrowvillage.co.za
· Baby Moses Baby Sanctuary
Baby Moses was established in 2003 to take in abandoned babies in the Gauteng West area from a home in Roodepoort. In addition, the organisation also supports a number of orphans and needy children living with extended families affected by extreme poverty and the HIV pandemic. The children receive care like housing, food, medical care, HIV medication, clothing, school stationery and school fees. Future plans are to open more homes, provided that acceptable homes and exceptional house parents can be secured.
Established: April 2003
Contact person: Lanie de Klerk
Phone: 011 768 4943
Fax: 086 512 9342
Physical Address: 37 Merle Street, Helderkruin, Roodepoort
Postal Address: 37 Merle Street, Helderkruin, Roodepoort, 1724
Website: www.babymoses.co.za
· Barnswallows Baby Shelter
Barnswallows provides a secure environment for abandoned, neglected and abused babies until a permanent home is found for them. Babies’ homes do not usually take in special needs babies (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, HIV+, Down’s Syndrome, etc.) but the Shelter believes that they can change society one baby at a time by helping all babies to overcome their developmental delays with expert help.
Established: November 2009
Contact person: René
Phone: 011 675 3756
Fax: 086 615 4552
Physical Address: 839 Acanthus Street, Weltevredenpark
Postal Address: 839 Acanthus Street, Weltevredenpark, 1709
Website: www.barnswallowbabies.org
· The South African National Blood Service (SANBS)
SANBS provides an essential service within South Africa and is rated among the best in the world in the provision of blood and blood products, as well as in relation to the research and training provided. The organisation’s mission is to provide all patients with sufficient, safe, quality blood products and medical services related to blood transfusions in an equitable, cost-effective manner. There are two donor facilities in the area:
1. Westgate Donor Centre
Physical Address: Westgate Shopping Centre, Westgate Road, Roodepoort
Phone: 011 768 0283
Email: customerservice@sanbs.org.za
Opening Hours
Mon: 1pm–4.30pm
Tues: 8.30am–4.30pm
Wed: 8.30am–4.30pm0
Thurs: 8.30am–7pm
Friday: 8.30am–4.30pm
Sat: 8.30am–2pm
2. Florida Donor Centre
Physical Address: 31 Beacon Rd, Roodepoort
Phone: 011 670 8600
Email: customerservice@sanbs.org.za
Opening Hours
Mon: 1pm –4.30pm
Tues: 8.30am–4.30pm
Wed: 8.30am–7pm
Thurs: 8.30am–4.30pm
Friday: 8.30am–4.30pm
Sat: 8am–2pm
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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