At least 23 children from Joshua Project in Jeffreys Bay were overcome with joy when they recently received beautiful pre-loved and restored jackets from newly established business Jackets Jackets, as part of the company’s plan to give back to the community.
Before Jackets Jackets first opened their doors on December 5, founders of the Jeffreys Bay-based business, Carel van der Westhuizen and Chris Colbeck, drew up their business plan where they outlined their plans to give back to the community and remain actively involved in various charity organisations.
Their first initiative involved donating quality pre-loved and restored jackets to the children who benefit from the charity services offered by Joshua Project.
Van der Westhuizen said that in Jeffreys Bay there are many people who care, with Joshua Project being a great example.
When they visited the organisation’s premises in Dolfyn Street, Jeffreys Bay, he said that they learnt about the amazing work done by the volunteers, who provide a day facility for children living on the streets.
“At Jackets Jackets, we love people which is why we are always ready to help where we can, encourage and celebrate people who also care for our community,” said Van der Westhuizen.
He said since Joshua Project takes care of the most vulnerable children in the community and knows each child by name, they asked the organisation to identify 23 children from their premises in Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp and hand pick jackets for each child.
“We were so heartened by the effort they put into each child, and we wanted to encourage them by supporting the good work they do in the community,” said Van der Westhuizen.
According to Karen Compaan-Du Toit, project manager at Joshua Project, the drop-in centre provides a safe place for children living on the street, a place for children who have not been to school for at least two years and a homework centre for school children.
“Our focus is to mend relationships and get the children back into the community, attend schools and be with their families,” said Compaan-Du Toit.
“We want to assist kids to become an asset to society.”
She said that, since the NPO was founded in 1998, they have impacted the lives of thousands of children and approximately 700 children’s lives this year alone.
Compaan-Du Toit said that people are their biggest asset and they are truly grateful for the investment that Jackets Jackets has made in the lives of the children at their centre.
“Through these jackets, the children will be ready for any cold day,” said Compaan-Du Toit.
The children received their jackets today, December 15, at Joshua Project’s year-end function.
To further give back to the community, Jackets Jackets is giving MySchool card holders a R50 voucher to shop at their store if they provide proof that they have added the Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic in Jeffreys Bay and JBay Animal Sanctuary to their list of beneficiaries.
- For more information contact Jackets Jackets’ WhatsApp group on 082 042 6264.
