This initiative has been running every festive season for the past 15 years, and now Rosebank mall has partnered up with the non-profit organisation to bring Christmas cheer to the families of the members of the police force who have passed on.
Gaby Peters, marketing manager at the mall, explains that shoppers are encouraged to donate either gifts or cash to contribute to Christmas gifts for the children of police officers.
There are about 600 children of fallen police officers who benefit from the drive, which will culminate in a handover ceremony on 5 December.
Peters makes it a point to emphasise that at the end of the drive, organisers ensure that every child receives something for Christmas.
Shoppers may either sponsor an amount to the fund or choose to personalise their donation by picking a name tag from the Angels in Blue Christmas tree at the mall indicating the child’s name, gender and age to contribute a personalised gift.
Elaine Notnagel from the Widows and Orphans Fund for Members of the South African Police Service, notes that the fund services families of departed police officers.
Its primary function throughout the year is to provide financial support to its beneficiaries, and the Angels in Blue is the only charity event nationally that backs a Christmas-focused initiative for the beneficiaries.
