A Traditional Christmas needs hands and hearts

Christmas time is fast approaching, and as you prepare to feast at the table, gather around the beautifully lit tree, and spoil your family and friends, Yolandie and Riaan Oberholzer are asking you to spare a moment for those who have nothing.

Fred and Martie’s Soup Kitchen (now run by Yolandie and Riaan) has been helping the community for more than 40 years. This charity organisation provides food, clothes, toiletries and support to those who need it most. They need your help this festive season.

The organisation is planning their two annual Christmas celebrations, one for the elderly and one for children youth, and their biggest wish is to make this Christmas happy and memorable. The party for the children will be held on 7 December and the lunch for the elderly will be held on 30 November. The theme for both parties is ‘A Traditional Christmas’.

The team at the soup kitchen wants to start a Christmas tradition of giving back to others. The elderly community members whom they help, live in hostels rather than old age homes, as there are no caretakers, and they usually do not have a family that visits and supports them.

Many of the elderly community members whom this organisation helps reminisce about the good old days when Christmas was celebrated with traditional Christmas crackers, delicious desserts, beautiful decorations, family, and home-cooked meals. Yolandie and Riaan are hoping to bring back some joy with their Christmas party. They want to make the elderly feel less alone and show the children the joy that the festive season can bring.

“We don’t like asking for money as for many people it is difficult to spare any these days. That’s why we mainly ask for hands and hearts,” said Yolandie.

While monetary donations are always appreciated, this year, Yolandie and Riaan are asking for supplies and volunteers (especially for the children’s party which caters for 600 children).

Their general wish list:

• Volunteers (hands and hearts)

• Juice

• Food

• Wrapping paper

Their children’s party wish list

• Ideas for fun activities for the party to keep the children entertained

• Small, gender-neutral presents

• Sweets (for party packs)

Their lunch for the elderly wish list:

• Christmas stockings (they would like to give the elderly stockings instead of boxes)

• Toiletries (unscented cream, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap)

• Sweet treats (non-perishable)

If you can open your hearts this Christmas and either volunteer, donate, or both, please contact Yolandie or Riaan Oberholzer on 2082 854 6904 or 082 786 8517.