This festive season, Reach for a Dream is appealing to corporates and individuals, to buy a bear and make an indelible difference in a sick child’s life.
At a cost of R100 each, the bear can be given as a purposeful Christmas gift, or donated back to the charity, for distribution throughout South African paediatric wards, countrywide.
The campaign, currently in its third year, has distributed over 10,000 fury friends (bears) ~ to children suffering from a range of illness, as well as life-threatening diseases. Amongst others, the bears provide a welcome distraction from the medical treatment, while assisting to alleviate some of the anxiety and fear which children may experience during their hospital stay.
Says Reach for a Dream’s CEO, Julia Sotirianakos, “The joy and comfort which a simple bear brings to an often lonely and suffering child ~ is immeasurable. We have also seen the relief and appreciation on the faces of family members, not able to provide any respite to their little loved ones, from the sometimes desperate and desolate situation they finds themselves in.”
The campaign is driven on a need-by-need basis, with a goal of 5,000 bears requiring new homes in children’s hospital beds, this festive season 2016.
Adds Sotirianakos, “Although we distribute bears all year through, the festive holidays provides us with a heart-warming opportunity to count our blessings, think of others in need, and share a gift of love, hope and possibly healing, too.”
A minimum of 50 bears allows Reach for a Dream to arrange a bear distribution within a children’s ward. Corporates and individuals are able to not only donate to this programme, but are also invited to participate in the actual distribution process, should the size of their donation allow.
Furthermore, Reach for a Dream adds a snack pack, reading / colouring book and crayons to each of the care (bear) packages.
To find out more on how to purchase and / or donate a bear this festive season, please contact Reach for a Dream National Programme Manager, Polite Zhoya:
Tel: 011 880 1740
E-mail: polite@reachforadream.org.za
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