There is no greater gift than a child’s smile.
To see the faces of young learners of Nomzamo Crèche in Zwelihle light up with excitement as Santa handed them each a gift, warmed the Hermanus Times team’s hearts.
They visited the Early Childhood Development Centre last week to treat the learners and staff to a small Christmas party ahead of the festive season. But the team would not have been able to pull it off without the help of their generous clients and readers who contributed Boxes of Love or funds to make up these gift boxes. With their help the team managed to hand boxes out to 97 children and six teachers.
The Hermanus Times team is especially grateful to the generous staff of Remax Hermanus for donating a whopping total of 35 gift boxes. Also, Harcourts Hermanus, which donated 30 boxes, and the Hermanus High Alumni Moms, who donated funds for 30 boxes. A word of appreciation also goes out to the Hawston Rugby Club, Quantum Coach Works, Chimney Clean, Carpet Care and various individuals for their donations.
The team would also like to thank James Peiser of Chimney Clean and his assistant, Humphrey Williams, who helped create a festive atmosphere with their music, Rodney Wentzel, who offered up his time to put smiles on the children’s faces, Santa who travelled all the way from the North Pole, the Overstrand Fire Department for transporting Santa to the event, Jolene Potgieter who did the face painting. Then there’s Food Lovers Market for donating the sausage and meat, Gateway Spar for the rolls and OK Foods Gateway for yummy donuts.
“It is wonderful and heart warming to know there are so many people, businesses and organisations that are willing to reach out to those in need,” said Mariëtte Strydom, editor of Hermanus Times. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.”
When visiting the school the Hermanus Times team became aware the school is in desperate need of mats for the learners to sit on during story time, colourful educational posters, children’s books, educational toys, items the children can use during fantasy play, tiny watering cans for the kids, sand to fill the sandpit and shade cloth to provide shelter against the harsh summer sun.
Some other items on the school’s wish list are: regular donations of vegetables, fruit and non-perishables such as pasta, rice, samp and tinned food to provide nutritious meals for the learners, vegetable seeds for their garden and artificial grass for their playground.
Donations can be dropped off at the Hermanus Times office situated in the Birkenhead Complex in Main Road, Hermanus.
The Hermanus Times team aims to visit Nomzamo Crèche next year to spruce-up the play area and paint the classes. More details on this will be posted next year.
