From hundreds of cosy blankets to generous litres of comforting soup, the success of the WAS Foundation’s Winter Outreach Project has wonderfully wrapped families in love and hope.
Krugersdorp West, South Africa (10 June 2026) – Following months of rallying, collecting, sorting and working quietly on the ground, the WAS Foundation’s Winter Outreach Project has fulfilled its mission to cover those in need with care and warmth.
The organisation’s Winter Outreach Project is an annual campaign aimed at protecting vulnerable families, children, and people experiencing homelessness from the harsh winter elements by mobilising communities and businesses to donate essential cold-weather supplies.
Through this year’s initiative, volunteers were blessed enough to distribute 750 blankets, 500 loaves of bread, 72 black bags of clothing and 165 litres of soup to families and individuals in need.
It is an accomplishment that has left WAS Founder, Esmarelda Van Zyl-Kilian, emotionally overwhelmed, incredibly grateful and deeply humbled.
“As I sit and reflect on the day, I honestly struggle to find the words to express my gratitude. This was a massive undertaking and there is absolutely no way we could have achieved it alone,” Esmarelda shared in a post.
She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to every single person who donated, shared their posts, sponsored items, volunteered their time, packed, loaded, transported, prayed and believed in the WAS Foundation’s vision.
“THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness became warmth, comfort, dignity and hope for hundreds of people facing a difficult winter. A special thank you goes to our incredible team of volunteers. Your dedication, compassion and willingness to serve others never cease to amaze me. You are the heartbeat behind everything we do.”
For Esmeralda and the entire village that contributed to this winter drive, it wasn’t merely about blankets, bread, clothing and soup. It was about shielding a little child from the cold, feeding a family who would have otherwise gone without and seeing hundreds of lives through what is already proving to be a very cold season. It was about showing people that they matter, that they are seen and that they are not alone.
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To learn more about other ways to support the organisation, email [email protected] or visit the Facebook page.
Sources: WAS Foundation
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