For many, it is a struggle to keep warm during South Africa’s cold winters, so Rays of Hope is making up warm winter packs to hand out to people in need.
Alexandra, South Africa (07 June 2022) – Rays of Hope, an NPO and PBO based in Alexandra Township, is appealing to businesses, organisations, and individuals to support this year’s #WarmUpAlex initiative that aims to help keep the residents of Alex safe and warm through winter.
“Many Alex residents are ill-equipped to brave Johannesburg’s notoriously chilly days and nights that are already upon us,” says Bertha Muchadeyi, Senior Social Worker at Rays of Hope.
“The people of Alex have also been hard-hit by the current economic slump, not to mention the recent spate of violence that has left innocent families and homes in ruin. All these factors and more contribute to the tough times that people in Alex have fallen into, and any help that we as long-serving partner of the community and other generous souls can offer will most certainly go a long way.”
With the help of generous donations from businesses, partner organisations and individuals, Rays of Hope was able to assist over 2,400 Alex residents in staying warm during the harsh winter of 2021. This was possible through the donation of 300 hampers, 1,280 blankets and 176 bags of warm clothes. This enabled Rays of Hope to provide much-needed support through 23 partner NGOs to their beneficiaries.
Bertha says that while these figures were phenomenal, the organisation aims to surpass these numbers this year to provide much-needed aid to those hard-hit by the pandemic lockdown measures, inflation, and unrest.
A cash donation of just R350 will make this winter a far warmer one for an Alex resident, as this allows us to buy a warm blanket, beanie, scarf, and socks to make up a winter warmth hamper. Once-off donations of blankets, winter clothing and jackets, non-perishable food and basic cold and flu medicines will also be of great help to people in Alex.
“Donations will be distributed as they are received, and companies are encouraged to drive collections within their office blocks, and individuals to rally their communities to collect new or pre-loved items in good condition to help streamline the process,” adds Bertha.
For more information and to request a special Rays of Hope collection box for your office, contact info@RaysOfHope.co.za. Monetary donations will also be gratefully received and will be eligible for a Section 18A certificate. The collection point for donations and drop-offs is the Rays of Hope Sandton Office (corner of St Andrew’s Road and William Nicol Drive in Hurlingham).
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