Smiles, sweets and Christmas presents
Child Welfare South Africa Roodepoort's annual Christmas party was a huge success
Not even the overcast and cool weather could dampen the spirit of the almost 250 excited children. They were attending the Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA) Roodepoort’s annual Christmas party for their foster children.
The party was held at the Roodepoort Cricket Club, and the children had loads of fun. Besides Santa Claus paying them a visit to hand out gifts, they enjoyed a variety of activities, including manicures and pedicures for the girls, soccer, dancing, face-painting, jumping castles and of course lots and lots of sweet treats! They also received a delicious hot dog for lunch and a goodie bag filled to the brim with sweets for dessert.
Estelle Odendaal, the CWSA Roodepoort manager, said they were grateful for all the support they received, as all the gifts, treats, activities on the day and the buses that transported the children to and from the venue were sponsored. “Usually we plan and organise the party ourselves, but this year a member from the community asked what she could do to help – an offer we could not refuse! This was the first year that we did not plan or organise the event,” she said.Jane Hotz, the CWSA Roodepoort chairperson echoed Estelle’s sentiments, and said, “We would also like to thank Wanita Dullisear for all her help in making this party possible. Today’s event was a collaboration between Wanita and the CWSA Roodepoort, and it was a huge success. A huge thank you also goes out to all the volunteers who helped.”
They express their gratitude to the following sponsors, as the party would not have been such a success without their generous assistance:
• Estelle Goosen for allowing the use of the Roodepoort Cricket Club for the party
• The parents from Laerskool Helderkruin who generously donated gifts for the children
• Finrite for the cash donation
• TJ’s Convenience and Liquor Store for the cocktail rolls and ham
• The many people who contributed gifts and cash donations, but chose to remain anonymous
• The team of women, men and children who volunteered their time on the day as well as during the week to wrap the 248 gifts
Estelle said the Christmas party is a very important date on the calendar and a special event for all of the children, as it is the only Christmas they will experience. “These children have gone through the whole fostering process, including all the court proceedings. This day is important, as it enables them to celebrate Christmas like any other child.
Just imagine how it would feel if you go back to school after the holidays and your friends want to know what you received for Christmas, and you have to say, ‘nothing’,” she explained.
Estelle encouraged the community to help CWSA meet the needs of those in their care. She said they accept donations throughout the year. “The items we can use include non-perishable food, sweets, clothing, toiletries and school stationery,” said Estelle. “Even if they drop off a T-shirt, we do have a storeroom where everything is kept until needed. All the donations we receive during the year, even those that can be used for the Christmas party, will be kept there,” she said.
For more information on how to help the CWSA Roodepoort, or on the donations they need, contact Estelle on 074 430 5440 or send an email tomanager@rcw.org.za.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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