From 250 to 4 000 gift boxes in just two years, a Gordon’s Bay teenager’s Christmas dream has captured hearts across the Western Cape.
Joshua Sandy (18) and his mother, Sandy Pekeur-Sandy, are the driving force behind the Nosh for Josh Foundation. Their “Be My Voice, One Cookie at a Time” project has grown from a simple love of baking into one of the most heartwarming Christmas initiatives.
When Joshua was diagnosed with autism at two years old, it set his family on an unexpected path. His later epilepsy diagnosis at age 16 became the driving force behind his mother’s life-changing decision.
“I was in the corporate field for 15 years and I gave up my work for my son,” Pekeur-Sandy pointed out.
Her career change led to discovering something extraordinary about her son. Joshua’s simple request would spark an idea that would touch thousands of lives.
“He kept on asking ‘I want cookies, I want cookies’ and it was becoming expensive”.
When Joshua picked up his late grandmother’s cooking book and showed his mom the recipes, they started baking together. Pekeur-Sandy discovered something magical during these kitchen sessions.
“Joshua just says a few words, but when he’s in the kitchen, he is very verbal”.
The duo launched the project on World Autism Day in 2023, which was perfect timing as it coincided with his birthday, 2 April. What started as a baking project quickly evolved into something much bigger.
“We started with 250 boxes, then 500 and last year we did 1 000,” Pekeur-Sandy said.
This year they aimed to double their festive efforts to 2 000 boxes, but with overwhelming community support they managed to assemble an incredible 4 000.
The project enjoyed support from major sponsors, including Kohler, Blue Ribbon, Premier Foods, Property.CoZa Gordon’s Bay, Miller Bosman Le Roux Attorneys, and Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club, alongside numerous private donors and international supporters from the UK and US. Media partners Atlantis Live, Bold Moves and Kolskoot Radio helped amplify the message across communities.
The boxes were assembled at Property.CoZa Prosper in Gordon’s Bay on Saturday 29 November with volunteers from every walk of life lending their hands like Christmas elves.
Each box carefully balanced nutrition and treats – porridge and bread for something nice, plus popcorn, chips, fizzy drinks and sweets for those who want to be a bit naughty.
From Monday 2 to Thursday 18 December the mother-and-son duo are personally delivering each gift box across the Western Cape as part of the Christmas charity drive.
“The boxes are Joshua’s way of blessing other neurodiverse and neurotypical children with Christmas treats,” said Pekeur-Sandy.
For this determined local mother the project represented far more than gift giving; it’s about unwrapping joy and hope. “I want them to feel, ‘wow, I got a little treat’, but the aim is more than that; it is to share Christmas and also the love of God”.
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