Top five cute community stories

This year has been full of challenges but through it all certain community members have given us reason to keep smiling and hoping for a better tomorrow. Here are five cute community stories the Rosebank Killarney Gazette has covered during the year.

1. On Mandela Day, as thousands of South Africans were donating 67 minutes of their time, Caxton Local Media Joburg North chose Sunshine Centre Craighall to echo Tata’s memory with #CaxtonPaints4Tata.

The Rosebank Killarney Gazette saw the need to help the children at the centre who have various disabilities. Repainting of classrooms and carpet cleaning was top of their list. Safika Holdings donated 30 litres of paint as well as 15 paint trays and loads of brushes.

2. The Parkview Pre-Primary School learners painted their school green and gold in support of the Springboks. The South African National Rugby Union team played in the World Cup final against England on 2 November in Japan. The little ones were ecstatic as they demonstrated their paka paka and thereafter sang the national anthem in high morale.

3. Learners from Parktown High School for Girls and members of the parents’ association joined thousands of volunteers in the Rise Against Hunger event in recognition of Nelson Mandela. The 67 minutes of each participant’s time feeds a child for an entire year. The girls and parents joined the Joburg leg of the event at the Sandton Convention Centre on 12 July. Learners underwent prior training to become Rise Against Hunger champions and attain the necessary skills to package meals. The event was an overall success and a total of 398 304 boxes were packed.

4. St Teresa’s School participated in Leave Your Print together with children from other Catholic schools. Leave Your Print is an initiative of the Catholic School Board to raise funds for under-resourced schools in the Catholic school network. Girls were invited to arrive at school barefoot in solidarity with many of their brothers and sisters who have no option but to attend school without shoes and to make a voluntary donation. Last year, Leave Your Print raised R396 000 which was used for toilet facilities at five schools which did not previously have flushing toilets. A worthy cause indeed.

5. Over 19 800 people attended the 27th annual Jazz on the Lake event at Zoo Lake on 1 September. The free event sought to bring together jazz lovers from across the city for a fun day for the whole family. Entertainment included Cuba’s rising star and multi-awarded alto saxophone phenomenon Michel Herrera, formidable South African jazz band Tune Recreation Committee and more. Journalist Sarah Koning was there to capture all the action.

Filler: For more inspirational community stories visit the Rosebank Killarney Gazette on Facebook