WinterHope Kindness
Photo Credit: Lum3n via Pexels

WinterHope is a multi-charity initiative that helps them get through the winter; the initiative helps bring in much-needed donations for the coldest season of the year.

 

South Africa (06 June 2024)WinterHope, a respected initiative serving for over twenty years, is back this year with its annual drive to provide winter essentials for those in need. Collaborating with PEN (Pretoria), MES (Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Gqeberha, and Cape Town), His Hands (Durban), and Towers of Hope (Bloemfontein), the campaign aims to help vulnerable communities across South Africa during the cold winter months.

Since its start, WinterHope has gained increasing support from the public, schools, local faith groups, businesses, and the media, establishing itself as a national movement. The main goal remains to responsibly lend a hand to vulnerable community members, ensuring they have what they need to stay warm during winter. This includes clothes, food, blankets, and money.

Thanks to the combined efforts and generosity of individuals and organisations nationwide, WinterHope accomplished remarkable results. Here are the statistics from last year’s campaign:

In 2023, WinterHope attained remarkable outcomes due to the collective endeavours and generosity of individuals and organisations nationwide. The statistical summary from the preceding year’s campaign is as follows:

  • Blankets: 2,500
  • Black bags of clothes: 286
  • Beanies:1,963
  • Beds utilised for shelter: 3,302
  • Lunch provided: 18,742
  • Food Parcels: 3,800

2024 Challenges

As WinterHope begins, it confronts several pressing challenges. Amidst South Africa’s election, organisations faced uncertainty about the outcome and its potential impact. The current economic instability further compounds these concerns, with the unemployment rate steadily rising. As of the latest available data, South Africa’s unemployment rate stands at approximately 34.9%, reflecting the urgent need for intervention. This backdrop of political and economic uncertainty adds complexity to how the organisations address homelessness.

However, it also underscores the importance of collective action and community support. Despite these challenges, WinterHope remains steadfast in its commitment to providing warmth and assistance to those in need. By rallying together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and families across South Africa.

How can YOU make a difference this year:

As an individual

  • Be the one who drives the WinterHope charity initiative in your community. Start the drive in your home town.
  • Encourage others to become involved and collect food, blankets, beanies, and warm clothes.
  • Monetary contributions, can make a big difference and empower front-facing organisations to bring hope to communities.

As an organisation

  • Become a key organisation that brings change. One of the things that organisations forget is the influence they have on communities. Connect with us and become part of the hope we bring to communities in need.
  • Monetary contributions, can make a big difference and empower front-facing organisations to bring hope to communities.

All donations qualify for 18A tax receipts. Please email winterhoop@pen.org.za for more information on how to qualify for an 18A tax receipt.

As a school

As a school, you can organise a donation drive where students collect essential items such as clothing, blankets, and canned goods to support local communities. This provides students with a hands-on opportunity to contribute to their community while fostering empathy and compassion.

The collaboration of organisations, schools, churches, individuals, and the media has empowered WinterHope to create a network of 150 collection points. This ensures that donations are efficiently collected and distributed within the same local communities where they are most needed. The WinterHope partners distribute all the items collected to the communities in need living within the regions they serve.

For more information about the various drop-off points available throughout South Africa, please visit https://winterhoop.org/drop-off-points/

Your involvement can make a difference and bring hope and warmth to our communities in need this winter.


Sources: MES – Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *