67 Blankets for Mandela Day
All the donations received will go a very long way in helping prepare three meals a day for 132 residents.
Alan Pittendrich
When a group consisting of Karen Duncan, Samantha van Niekerk, Elmarie van der Merwe and CP Smith came together to see if they could do something on Mandela Day for the Lochvaal Emfuleni Welfare Family Care Shelter, little did they know that they were starting the biggest event ever experienced by the shelter in its 17 year’s existence.
In starting their project they made contact through Facebook with Kelly-Ann van der Meer of One Small Act of Kindness. This led to contact with the Gas Monkey pub and grill in SE8, Vanderbijlpark. Bikers from the Eagle Souls Vaal, the Syndicate Vaal and the Blood Warriors Rustenburg promptly joined the project. A request was made to the 67 Blankets for Mandela for knitted blankets and the Knit Wits also joined in.
Donations of bread rolls were made by Fourways Quick Spar, cake by the Chev Crew and many other donations of food and clothing by the public. On the day cupcakes, party packs, hot dogs and blankets were distributed to all the residents.
The Shelter says despite the rain all of them had an amazing time. All the donations received will go a very long way in helping prepare three meals a day for 132 residents.
“The blankets that were handed out to each resident were a blessing from God and we can’t thank you enough for helping to keep battered mothers, abused children, rejected elderly and destitute families warm during the piercing cold winter that we are facing. The lovely smiles of the 30 children are testimony to the great deed that you have done for us. There was plenty of food for the day and all the residents enjoyed the hot dogs very much. Each child received sweet packets and cupcakes which they loved.
“Thank you very much to all the artists who braved the cold to sing and entertain us with live music. It was an event that will stay in our memories and our hearts for ever. We thank God for shining his light on us so that you could see us and are extremely grateful for each and every one of the kind hearted persons who made this day possible,” a spokesperson of the shelter said.
CP and his group are so happy and proud of this event that they are already planning for another event where they can help the needy.
Photo: A huge amount of food and blankets were donated for the residents of the Lochvaal shelter. 
