Amid challenges and uncertainties, Good Things Guy is partnering with Liberty for the third year of #DriveHope, a heartwarming initiative born from compassion, touching lives through acts of kindness and unity in South Africa.
South Africa (05 October 2023) – In a world often marked by challenges and uncertainties, the power of hope and kindness continues to shine through. It’s with this spirit that Good Things Guy is thrilled to announce its partnership with Liberty for the third consecutive year of the heartwarming initiative, #DriveHope!
The origins of #DriveHope trace back to a heartfelt plea shared on Facebook in 2019. Karen Denny, the compassionate soul behind the initiative, stumbled upon a post that would tug at her heartstrings and inspire a movement that’s making waves across South Africa. The post narrated the tale of an elderly woman who, after surviving a traumatic incident of sexual assault by a relative, found herself isolated from her family and friends. Struggling to make ends meet after losing her job, and with her Unemployment Insurance Fund payments now in limbo, her story resonated as a desperate cry for help.
The emotions stirred by the woman’s story were a rollercoaster – from the profound sadness of her situation to the burning outrage over her suffering. In that moment, #DriveHope was born, a ray of light amidst the darkness, committed to transforming lives in tangible and meaningful ways.
#DriveHope was initially launched internally, for employees to nominate their colleagues and communities who needed help, giving them a small boost to keep them going.
“At Liberty, sharing the gift of knowledge – particularly education and literacy – has always been one of the central pillars of our business. In 2020, we decided to expand the ways in which we gave back, which is why we decided to launch #DriveHope,” says Liberty’s Divisional Executive for Digital Marketing, Karen Denny.
However, as the pandemic escalated, the need to support South Africans became more apparent as Liberty worked closely with communities near and dear to their staff. The platform was then opened to the public to nominate anyone who needed help during the global health crisis. Three years later, #DriveHope has contributed over R3.4 million in ‘random acts of care’ across the country.
The platform functions on a nomination system, where anyone can nominate their friends, family, or members of their community in need. Last year, Liberty reported that it had already assisted more than 13,101 nominees through financial assistance, care packages, food parcels, school supplies, and other essentials.
Now, in 2023, the partnership between Good Things Guy and Liberty has flourished into an even more powerful force for good. Together, we’re once again calling upon the people of South Africa to nominate individuals who deserve an injection of Hope in their lives; because they show kindness to others regardless of their position. The #DriveHope squad, with their compassionate hearts and dedication to making a difference, will review the nominations and reach out to the most heartfelt stories of Hope.
The impact of #DriveHope over the years has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the initial small acts of care to the present-day movement that’s changing lives, the initiative has become a beacon of light in the lives of many. The stories that have emerged are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of unity. The ripple effect of a single act of care is far-reaching, transcending barriers and touching lives in ways that are immeasurable. This is clearly illustrated by the 13,000 lives impacted through this initiative.
With each passing year, and as the economy gets harder for people to navigate, #DriveHope finds ways to continue making a difference and giving a glimmer of light to those in need. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there’s a collective power within each one of us to bring about positive change.
As the initiative enters its third year in partnership with Liberty, the mission remains crystal clear: to ignite hope, drive change and make and indelible mark on society by inspiring action for everyone to spread the hope through one act of kindness at a time to the people around you and the communities in your reach.
So, let’s join hands, South Africa. Let’s be the driving force that brings hope to those who need it, that transforms lives with acts of kindness, and that shows the world the incredible strength of unity and compassion.
With #DriveHope, we’re not just changing lives; we’re reshaping the future with hope and kindness as our guiding light.
To nominate a South African in need, please visit the Good Things Guy Facebook page.
by 