Union calls on women to help others

Vice-president Bev Goldman said the union needed young, creative, dedicated and passionate members.

“The [union] needs young members to share with us the joy of giving… There are thousands of young people, middle-aged and the elderly who need food, clothes, education, inspiration, creativity, artistry and a whole lot of love,” she said.

The organisation was founded over 80 years ago and has different community enriching projects. These include the Kosher Mobile Meals, the organisation’s flagship project which supplies cooked nutritious meals to 163 mostly elderly, and sometimes very lonely members of the community, who are unable to cook for themselves.

Goldman said the meals, packed and delivered by volunteers twice a week, were made possible by donations and major fundraising initiatives.

Friendship Club Lunch, The Naomi Project and Lending of Rehabilitative Appliances are also some of the projects undertaken by the union.

Goldman added that the organisation also provided comfort packs containing toiletries, underwear and clothing to rape survivors and abused children. This occurred at the medico-legal clinics at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Hillbrow Community Health Centre and a rape crisis centre in Hammanskraal.

She said, “There’s a magical feeling one experiences seeing the joy and delight on the faces of those who have less than we do, when we teach them to be self-sufficient, when we teach them to read, when we show them how to sew and bake, when we surprise them with little treats, little outings, little unexpected pleasures. To give of oneself is the greatest good and we can all give of ourselves, whether daily, weekly or monthly.”

Goldman said there was a range of projects that members could become involved with. “If you have your own ideas, we’d love to hear them and implement them if possible,” she added.

Details: 011 648 1053; ujw@mweb.co.za