The Robin Hood Foundation knows exactly how Santa feels! For Christmas 2014 they have received a gift list for over 2 500 grannies and grandpas living in old age homes in the greater Durban area and it is their mission to make these wishes come true.
“It may seem overwhelming but the KZN public are incredible and always exceed our expectations. Through their generosity over the past nine years, the Robin Hood Foundation has been able to hand deliver thousands of gifts to the elderly. For many of them, this is the only gift and only visit they will receive in a year”, says Kim Griffith Jones, co-ordinator of the Robin Hood Foundation.
There are three ways in which individuals and businesses can get involved. Firstly, they can email Kim at robinhoodfund@telkomsa.net if they would like to buy a personalised gift or gifts. Alternatively they can deposit R150 per gift into the Robin Hood Foundation’s bank account and reference it ‘Bless a Granny’ and the foundation will buy the gift on their behalf. Finally, they can join them on one or more of the visits. The Robin Hood Foundation have 17 ‘Bless a Granny and Grandpa’ visits lined up between the 27th October and the 22nd December.
“We encourage families and corporates to come along – it will be the best bonding and team building exercise you will do all year,” says Kim. “The foundation strives to make the visits as festive and memorable as possible, so if anyone has a special talent such as singing or playing a musical instrument we urge you to donate your time and talent. The residents are so grateful for the entertainment.”
“Every year, our committee and contributors are astounded by what the elderly residents ask for as a gift – soap, a chocolate, toothbrush and toothpaste, some hand cream – items which many of us simply put into our shopping trolleys on a monthly basis. Our team of volunteers are also blown away by the appreciation of the time spent with the residents. Asking them how they are and actually listening to the answer means the world to them,” concludes Kim.
The Foundation’s bank details are: The Robin Hood Foundation, Nedbank, Account number: 164 816 0948, Branch Code: 164 826, Ref: Bless a Granny.
For more information on this Robin Hood Foundation initiative, please visit their Facebook page or their website on www.robinhoodfoundation.co.za or phone Kim Griffith Jones on 076 612 9060.