Young, old and animals benefit from AfriForum Christmas drive in Benoni

AfriForum’s Benoni Branch held its annual Christmas Ride on Saturday 7 December, creating an unforgettable day of love, joy and togetherness. The Christmas drive, which began in 2020, has grown into a project that is making a profound difference in the community.

This year, the Branch took Santa Claus on his sleigh to seven children’s homes, one old age home and an animal protection organisation to hand out gifts, sweets and treats. Stops were made at the Abraham Kriel Children’s Home, Endeo Home, Colin House, Thandi House, Sinethemba Children’s Home, iKhaya da Luz Children’s Home, Charis Youth Care Centre, Shady Pines Retirement Home and TAG animal shelter. Santa also surprised children from the surrounding community with gifts and treats at each stop.

The AfriForum Branch in Benoni is grateful for the incredible support of committee members, role players and sponsors in the community who made this project possible. “Every year we try to make this project bigger and better. The love and dedication of our community and partners proves that together we can make a difference,” says Jurie Ferreira, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the East Rand.

A special thanks to Graham Gillespie of Romans Pizza for the pizza donation and Yolandie Palmer of Benoekie for the Christmas cupcakes for the children and the elderly.

The Branch also thanks the following role players who teamed up to make the day unforgettable: ER24, Life 1, Fidelity SecureFire, PRS Security Services, NoJack Vehicle Tracking, SuperCops Security, Black Hawk SA Security, Fire Rescue N8, Legendary Guardians Exclusive Protection Security Services, Graphite Security, D.O.T. Towing and Recovery, the Toy Run Committee and TSSA (Trauma Support South Africa) Chaplaincy Service.

“This Christmas drive reminds us of the power of the community and how small gestures can make big differences. With the right support and collaboration, we can make a big difference in a community,” Ferreira concludes.

For more information on how to get involved in AfriForum’s Benoni Branch’s projects, visit the Facebook group, contact 084 976 1234 or join at www.wordlid.co.za.