The annual “Silver Hair is Solid Gold” project of Strand Neighbourhood Watch (SNW) reached a milestone this year, with the handover of 900 packages to various old-age homes last month.
The project aims to alleviate the hardships of senior citizens in the community through donations of care and hygiene packs. Working in collaboration with HelderbergFM and Hendrik Louw Primary this year, the project has grown to reach as many people as possible and an immense sense of accomplishment was felt when the packages, valued at R285 000 in total, was successfully given to the elderly.
“SNW identified a need in the lives of the elderly residing in various homes throughout Strand,” reads a statement by the watch.
“When sitting down with the elderly during projects or on days where they requested our help with a walk or braai, we listened to their stories, and for many of them being in a home is merely just waiting to meet their maker. Their pensions get absorbed by rising living costs and the grants become less and less. Buying toothpaste or shampoo is a luxury that many of them cannot afford.
“This year we started early in February, when we launched our social media campaign, listing the items and quantities, which were to be included in the care package this year. It was a massive undertaking and every week we asked for a different item, all the while keeping the community updated by accurate goal metres on our social media pages. We had a live broadcast at Ben’s on the Beach one morning, where we handed out flyers and invited the public to drop donations off. SNW was also very fortunate to receive monetary contributions from the community and local businesses, which were used to purchase the items that were not coming in through drop offs. We hustled hard, begged with the public and managed to reach all the goals with two weeks to spare. We stood humbled by a community who opened their hearts and wallets to make this happen for our elderly.”
On Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May, SNW members loaded up and went to each of the homes listed, where they were fortunate to spend a bit of time with the elderly.
“We handed out these care packages personally and experienced the absolute joy and disbelief with which they were received,” SNW stated.
“So many of them offered a hug, which we were just too happy to return. We stood proud knowing that we could do something for our elderly because they are worth more than their weight in solid gold.”
Old-age homes that benefited include ACVV Huis Jan Swart, Strand Sorg (Pam Brink), Strand Sorg (Esperanza), DSND Ametis, ACVV Huis Soeterus, DSND Altena, Sencit Resthaven and Huis van Niekerk-Benadehof.
“On behalf of every recipient of one of these packages and ourselves we would like to extend a massive ‘thank you’ to each and every person that donated, bought, dropped off and was involved in this project. We hope to have you all on board next year, when we do this again,” the SNW statement concluded.
