Early this year LH Marthinusen (LHM) in Denver, Johannesburg, reached out to a social worker who works at the nearby John Mitchell Primary School with the following offer: Is there anything further LHM can do for the group of disadvantaged learners under her care?
Her response was: Are you willing to sponsor new warm clothes for the learners to protect them against the cold during the coming winter?
The social worker was already known to a number of senior people at LHM due to the division’s involvement in a monthly feeding scheme that assists with supplying the school with lunch spreads for the same group of disadvantaged learners. LHM has been involved with the feeding scheme since 2020.
LHM’s management had no hesitation in agreeing to the request and duly arranged to purchase 25 dry macks and 50 pairs of grey long pants for the learners in this group at the school, who range in age from seven to 16.
On Easter Friday a small group of managers and employees drove to deliver the clothes – as well as lots of Easter eggs, of course! – to the school in Jeppestown, where they were welcomed by the Principal, Julia Harmer, some of the teachers and many of the learners.
“The dry macks are dual-purpose, as they provide warmth against the cold as well as protection from rain,” explained Moreka Gomez, LHM’s Financial Manager, who arranged the purchasing of the clothing.
Staff’s bumper collection for charity
By the end of last year LHM had accumulated a bumper crop of charity donations from staff via its charity fund, whereby all members of staff who are willing to donate money out of their own pockets to the benefit of people who are less fortunate than themselves have small amounts deducted from their salaries/wages every month or week.
Usually the money is donated to a selected charity or other worthy cause on Mandela Day (July 18) each year.
“However, in the last two years, due to the social restrictions that were introduced to contain the spread of COVID-19, we didn’t follow the normal pattern of celebrating Mandela Day in this way,” said Moreka.
The money collected over the two years swelled to a handsome R39 000, which was split between three charitable organisations, SPCA Germiston, Kids Haven in Benoni and Meals on Wheels.
