The Lions Club of Tokai received two first-aid kits from Kirstenhof Crime Watch as well as “Jars of Hope” filled with food from Bergvliet High School for its community-service purposes.

According to club president, Mark Rossouw, the club needed proper first-aid kits for its community work as its existing kits no longer met service needs. After appealing to Ward 71 councillor Carolynne Franklin for assistance, she approached Kirstenhof Crime Watch, whose chair, Kyle Clark, presented the new kits to the club.

Overwhelmed by the generosity shown, Rossouw said adding that the first-aid kits would significantly enhance the club’s ability to provide safe and effective service. He dubbed it “a day of both giving and receiving for the club,” reflecting its service values, for which the club was thankful to both Franklin and the Watch.

The need for emergency support soon became clear when the club responded to a devastating fire at “Die Gaatjie” informal settlement in Diep River, which broke out on Thursday 23 July in the evening. It destroyed six homes, leaving six families without shelter or basic support.

The following day the club donated 20 Jars of Hope to New Living Hope, a local relief organisation, which coordinated the handover and relief distribution to the families.

Regarding the kits and jars, Rossouw said both actions showed how local organisations can support one another. He said the club valued partnerships that make humanitarian work possible, in which some role-players help others with support for an operational need, such as supplying equipment or supplies to meet humanitarian relief needs, reinforcing the value of acting together when communities face hardship.

“Community service depends on people and organisations working together.” The club will continue supporting local humanitarian efforts when assistance is needed, Rossouw said.