Community members and local businesses are banding together to make a profound difference.
This is the underlying principle fostered by the annual CSV Construction Legacy Day, which will again see a host of locals and business representatives roll up their sleeves and dig into their pockets to bring about lasting change at a Helderberg organisation. And this year’s selected beneficiary is Sencit Resthaven Home for the Aged in Rusthof, Strand, which is home to 32 elderly people.
With the slogan “Hearts in Service, Hands in Action” the outreach is the brainchild of Annes van Geems of CSV Construction. Launched last year, it aims to make a positive impact on the local community, with employees of various companies, including DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, volunteering their time and using their skills to better a community institution or organisation.
The inaugural Legacy Day saw volunteers visit Goeie Hoop Child and Youth Centre in Gordon’s Bay, where they added a fresh lick of colourful paint to the playground, installed a trampoline, shared laughs and fun with the children and distributed goodie bags last April.
ALSO READ: Businesses join forces for CSV’s Legacy Day.
This year Van Geems identified Sencit Resthaven as the beneficiary after visiting the facility, located in Thomas Road. He said senior citizens and children held a special place in his heart, so after the visit to the youth centre last year he decided Sencit would be this year’s outreach beneficiary, on Saturday 28 March.
Abigail Sebastian, supervisor at the NPO, said the outreach was welcomed by the facility’s management team and came at the perfect time as the home celebrates its 50th anniversary on the same day.
“Sencit Resthaven is not just a home for the elderly; it is community institution that also gives back to broader community. Apart from caring for the 32 residents we also work with other community organisations to attend to the needs of those who need it most.”
All the residents of the facility are beneficiaries of the government’s old-age grant, so fundraising and donations are vital to sustain operations at the home. “We host a quarterly fundraising market,” Sebastian pointed out, “where we sell some of the quality second-hand clothes that is donated to the home. We are also blessed with donations of non-perishables from the community and businesses, which fills the food cupboards, but there are always items that we need.”
Sencit’s wish list includes a washing machine, as it currently has only a twin-tub in working order, tumble dryer, wheelchairs, walkers, an air-fryer or two, non-perishable food items such as canned foods, a new floor to replace the dilapidated carpet in the TV room and toiletries for residents and bedding. The inside walls of the building are also desperately in need of a fresh lick of paint, while a storage container is also in need of repairs ahead of the rainy season.
On the day residents will also be treated to a meal, a cuppa and something sweet, be pampered and interact with the volunteers.
As part of the outreach the DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette team also aims to establish a small library in a corner of the TV room. Donations of good-quality secondhand books, magazines and boardgames are welcome, and can be dropped off at the newspaper’s office in Mynhardt Street, Gants Centre. Collection can also be arranged by contacting Tasmin Cupido on 021 841 4261 or emailing districtmailhelderberg@novusmedia.co.za.
๏ฎ Anyone wishing to get involved or donate is urged to contact Van Geems on 078 070 1816.
You must be logged in to post a comment.