Non-profit organisation, Hearts in Hands Food Bank dedicated Mandela Day to collecting blood donations during a Blood Donor Drive they hosted at Waterfall in Hillcrest on Monday, 18 June.
The aim of the donor drive was to help the South African National Blood Services (SANBS) ease the pressure of the low levels in their blood bank.
Hearts in Hands Founder, Tracy Klokie said that the donor drive gained phenomenal support from the community as 41 donors registered and 35 blood donations were collected which meant that 105 lives could be saved with the blood donated.
“On the day, there were also donations of food items, toiletries, R67 Zappers for the 67 minutes from the sponsors and donors. We are extremely grateful to each and every person, and company who contributed in any way to make the donor drive a success. We as South Africans are called to honour Madiba’s legacy and go out and make an impact, so we wanted to give people the opportunity to make an impact without it costing them anything and how better to partner in support of the South African National Blood Service whose great work in our community saves lives daily,” she said.
Klokie said the donated toiletries, non-perishable food items and money will go towards refurbishing Isibukosezwe Crèche in Embo, Hillcrest.
“I was thrilled at the donations from our community as well of food, toiletry items and donations that were made in lieu of blood donations. Our most grateful thanks to all who contributed especially Glodina, whose staff rallied together not only to donate blood but also 250 face cloths, nappies and soaps and Aecom whose team hosted a Mandela Day pack to fill 67 huge reusable buckets with non-perishable food and toiletries. A big thank you to Kim Griffith jones Connective Consulting, Millflour Baking, My Spar-Richdens, Refresha Trading Enterprises, Sans On The Go Café, Austin Maree Photo and Debonairs Ocean Trust for keeping the donors’ tummies full with their delicious pizza,” added Klokie.
She said their next move is raising funds for their community upliftment project, ‘Building Hope’ which is to refurbish the children’s crèche in the rural Embo.
“We would love any support with our ‘Building Hope’ project as the school was badly damaged by the April floods,” she said. To help support Heart in Hands projects email, enquiries@heartsinhands.co.za or call 084-555-1195.
