Marriott embodies ideals of Madiba through this year’s generous Mandela Day donations.
In a year that desperately called for the unifying spirit of the “Father of the Nation”, the team from Hillcrest-based Marriott Investment Managers donated to local community organisations in celebration of Mandela Day on 18 July.
“Our country has been through so much these past few months and it really seemed that this year’s Mandela Day came at just the right time,” said Sally Anderson, Head of Marketing and Client Services. “Despite the turbulent times, our local non-profit organisations (NPOs) continue to do incredible work. Being in a fortunate position to make a difference, Marriott set about assisting these organisations where we could. We hope these donations go some way in helping them carry out their life-changing work.”
The donations started with Durban & Kloof SPCA in Springfield Park, where staff remained on-site throughout the recent civil unrest, ensuring the animals were fed and cared for. The SPCA was in urgent need of funding to secure food for the animals, and the donation by Marriott will be used for bulk orders to meet this demand.
Food for Life Africa, a non-sectarian NPO that distributes food to poverty-stricken South Africans, was the next worthwhile recipient. The financial donation from Marriott will assist them in securing and distributing around 15 000 plates of food per day nationally.
Marriott also gave a donation to Nation Changers, an organisation that encompasses a variety of impactful projects. One of these is the innovative One Hand Can Feed Another permaculture project that requested funds towards planting seedlings and distributing food parcels on Mandela Day. Through this project a vegetable garden is being established at Isambulo College, which feeds children at the school as well as the local community.
The devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic has left many in the live events’ industry without employment. The Feed Our Crew initiative – which was the next stop on the Marriot donation drive – provides food, electricity and other supplies for those in the industry.
Marriott, which has long supported The Hillcrest Government Hospital, received a special request for the donation of specialised tools for fixing wheelchairs. They responded with a donation of four workbenches, a toolbox full of tools and one new wheelchair.
“Alongside these five donations, all Marriott staff were allowed to take 67 minutes out of their workday to contribute towards a cause of their choice,” says Sally.
Marriott aims to create financial peace of mind through predictable investment outcomes and personalised service.
For more info contact: Shannon Blewitt, Marriott Marketing; 031 765 0766, 031 765 0700.