So {Thrifters} what are you
doing on the 18 July 2012?
We are sure you know that it
is Mandela Day. International Nelson Mandela Day not only
celebrates Nelson Mandela’s life, but it is also a global call to action for
people to recognize their ability to have a positive effect on others around
them. The day hopes to inspire people to embrace the values that Mandela
shared. These values include democracy, freedom, equality, diversity,
reconciliation and respect.
Get involved this Mandela Day : contribute
67 minutes of your time towards the global movement for good.
How to get involved on Mandela Day 2012:
Charity begins at home: take a look
around, “spring clean” your room/house and donate the unwanted items to a
charity of your choice. You’ll not only be doing something good for others, but
for yourself as well.
Donate your time and talent:
you don’t need to be wealthy to donate something valuable. Either
volunteer to help with the day-to-day tasks undertaken by local charities, or
offer a service based on your own unique skill set: cook someone a delicious
meal, or give a community member a hand in repairing something broken. You
could spend some time helping with the babies at the Durban North or Umhlanga
Baby House. http://www.facebook.com/#!/DurbanNorthBabyHouse
Save the world, one sandwich at a time: buy a loaf of bread, a chunk of cheese, and
a few tomatoes, then make a couple of sandwiches and hand them out to those in
need on your way to work or school. You could make this even simpler by buying
a big bag of whichever fruit is in season (it’s normally cheaper), and do the
same. Rather give food than money to those in need.
Become a bookworm: Burrow deep into the hearts of those at a
retirement home or a hospice by reading to them, or help a struggling learner
develop literacy skills. You can also
donate your old, unwanted books to Just Us 4 Children – they hold a book sale
on the last Saturday of every month outside Broadway Pharmacy in Durban North –
all proceeds go to their charity. http://www.facebook.com/#!/JustUs4Children
The gift of life: donate blood and you’ll feel dizzy with the
knowledge that you’ve potentially saved someone’s life; a single donation could
aid up to three people in need and only takes about 30 minutes. To find a blood
drive in your area, visit : http://www.sanbs.org.za
Alternately, there are currently thousands
of South African citizens waiting for life-saving organ donations, so take the
time to register with the Organ Donor Foundation (Tel: +27 (0)800 22 66 11).
Join Habitat for Humanity: From 16 to 20 July 2012, this well-known
social enterprise is embarking on a nationwide blitz to build 67 houses for
those in need. The organisation is calling on all South Africans to either
volunteer their time on-site or to donate much-needed funds to finance
materials. http://www.habitat.org.za
Volunteer at an animal shelter: our furry and feathered friends need a
helping hand too. Whether you’re walking a dog or cleaning out cages, your time and energy will be highly
appreciated. http://www.nspca.co.za
We hope you are inspired by
these ideas. We have mentioned a few of
our favourite charities but you are encouraged to support any worthy cause in
your area. We will be using some of our 67 minutes to donate blood tomorrow,
and then we will be donating clothing to charity. Please feel free to comment if you know of
any worthy causes or just want to share what you did with your 67 minutes.
Love
Ash & Em
Xx
Credits to :
CapeTownMagazine.com and Google Images
