Integrated energy and chemical company, Sasol, is appealing to the public to donate new and old blankets as part of its nationwide blanket drive campaign this winter.
The initiative, which is hosted alongside the Smile Foundation, was started as a way to provide blankets to children and their families undergoing facial surgery as part of the foundation’s national surgical programme.
Tilene Narainan, national convenience manager for Sasol, explained the company’s decision to partner with the foundation and said it was driven by the need to make a difference. “As a brand rooted in South Africa’s local communities, we continually strive to play a positive role in making a difference,” Narainan explained.
“Leveraging our retail network for the winter blanket drive benefits these deserving young children and, beyond that, other charities in need of assistance. We are delighted to partner with the Smile Foundation on such a worthy initiative and to highlight the magnificent impact they have in changing these young lives.”
Adding to this was Hedley Lewis, executive director for the Smile Foundation, who added that having the blankets to keep the children warm during and after the procedure would go a long way, as the children, and their families, often have to make the long and difficult journey to the hospital and keep infections at bay during their recovery.
“Due to our multi-disciplinary approach to these paediatric surgeries, we support the children right through their recovery. As part of this, we take into consideration the opportunity for infections, and will supply the Smile Foundation patients with any blankets that are donated,” Lewis said.
The blanket drive will run until 6 July and donated blankets can be dropped off at Sasol Delight stores nationwide. Customers donating blankets will also receive a free cup of coffee for their donation.
Older blankets that are donated will also be distributed to others in need, such as the homeless and animal shelters.
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