Gateway Helps Out Santa Shoebox Project

 

By Fred Felton | Nov. 3, 2022

The Santa Shoebox Project helps out thousands of vulnerable children each year. This year Gateway Shopping Centre is helping them out and you can too.

Pictured with the first Santa's Shoeboxes to be handed in at Gateway Theatre of Shopping are Michelle Shelley and Ayesha Sewbaran. Photo: Supplied. 

‘’Sharing the festive spirit is close to our hearts,’’ said Michelle Shelley, Gateway Marketing Manager.

Gateway is once again a proud venue sponsor for the Santa Shoebox Project and visitors can drop off their boxes at the collection zones during November.

Dates for your diary

Thursday 10^th November to Saturday 12^th November.

This is when a mass collection point for packed, personalised boxes will be accessible at Gateway on Palm Boulevard (Near Tashas and the Valet Parking on Palm Boulevard) in Umhlanga.

Time: 8am to 5pm each day.

The project is now in its seventeenth year. The NGO has asked for the following items to be included in each box: a toothbrush, toothpaste, an outfit of clothing, a facecloth, soap, school supplies, a toy and sweets. All of the items should be new and age-appropriate.

To help out, visit www.gatewayworld.co.za/santa-shoebox-project/

#GatewayShoppingCentre

#Santa-Shoebox

Join Cadbury in Giving the Gift of Childhood to Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Across SA

The spirit of generosity is alive and well in South Africa. It’s evident in the many selfless acts of kindness, large and small, that we witness people doing on a daily basis. This is the kind of generosity that Cadbury Dairy Milk would like to shine a light on; the need for connection, the spark to lift others up. Now, more than ever, we have the chance to bring about positive change. This time, by giving our most vulnerable – our children – the precious gift of childhood.

Last year, this boundless generosity shone through as South Africans donated over 100 000 pre-loved toys, books and games to orphaned and vulnerable children via the Cadbury Dairy Milk ‘The Little Generosity Shop’ and ‘GenerosiTrees’ activations. At a time when this generous nature is truly needed, Cadbury Dairy Milk is once again calling on all South Africans to join forces to support orphaned and vulnerable children by facilitating their right to play.

For a limited time, when you purchase one of five 80g or 150g Cadbury Dairy Milk variants, wrapped in special edition sleeves, you will help give the precious gift of childhood by contributing towards R1-million worth of educational toys, books and games, to orphaned and vulnerable children across South Africa.

‘’Generosity is at the core of everything we do, as Cadbury Dairy Milk believes that ‘There’s a glass & a half in everyone’.  At a time when inspiring goodness is key, we want to offer South Africans an opportunity to help enrich the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children across our country,’’ says  Lara Sidersky, Mondelez SA Category Lead for Chocolate.

SOS Children’s Village will, again, be one of several beneficiaries that Cadbury Dairy Milk is partnering with for this initiative. This independent, non-governmental organisation offers family-like care for children and young people who have lost, or are at risk of losing, parental care.

Look out for participating Cadbury Dairy Milk variants, in both 80g and 150g, including Milk Chocolate, Top Deck, Mint Crisp, Whole Nut and Fruit & Nut. . Available while stocks last.

For more info and Ts & Cs visit www.cadbury.co.za

Follow @CadburyDairyMilkSA on Facebook or @CadburyDairyMilk_SA on Twitter and Instagram and #GlassAndAHalf.

R1 million donated to East Coast Radio's Toy Story with Game

Thank you for spreading the love, KZN!

The generosity of KwaZulu-Natal has shined through once again, with nearly 13 thousand toys and R1 million donated to East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game. The initiative, one of the province’s longest-running CSI campaigns, has wrapped up.

Thanks to businesses and residents from across KZN, they were able to provide each child in a government hospital, crèche and children’s home with a brand new toy. For many of the little ones, these were the first new thing they have ever owned. It was truly heart-warming to watch tiny faces light up!

The East Coast Radio Toy Story with Game team spent hours packing toys and delivering them to state-run hospitals on the North and South Coasts, in the Midlands and in the greater Durban area. The Red Cross Air Mercy Service helped deliver and distribute the new toys to areas that the team could not reach by road. 

Celebrities and sports stars too did their bit for the children, with the likes of Uzalo’s Khaya Dladla, former Idols champ, Khaya Mthethwa, Amazulu and Dolphins players, Mo Magic, Logie Naidoo, Man International Models and comedian Carvin Goldstone, helping raise more than R1 million at the Toy Story Corporate Day Challenge on 2 December 2016. This year, every cent donated to the campaign supported Game’s Amalunchbox initiative, which creates sustainable school lunches for under-nourished children across KZN. Hungry children cannot concentrate on schoolwork so the Amalunchbox project provides disadvantaged schools with the facilities so they can prepare nutritious meals in hygienic conditions.

It was thanks to KwaZulu-Natal for heeding their call to help for the 16^th year running. It is through their invaluable contributions that they have made a difference in the lives of some of our province’s most destitute and ill children.

Images: Abhi Indarajan

Help East Coast Radio's Toy Story with Game

East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game has kicked off, aimed at giving joy with toys to every child in a government hospital, children’s home and crèche in KwaZulu-Natal. Now in its 16th year, the campaign is one of the longest-running annual CSI initiatives in KwaZulu-Natal.

East Coast Radio's General Manager, Boni Mchunu, Game's Elisabeth Ric Hansen, Darren Maule and Kerri Miller at the launch.  Image by Abhi Indrarajan

Speaking at the launch at Atholton Primary School in Umhlanga, which was attended by Sharkie and musicians Gangs of ballet, Chloe Clark and Kyle Deutsch, East Coast Radio’s General Manager, Boni Mchunu, said, “Residents and business across KwaZulu-Natal have always generously supported this initiative as we aim to light up the lives of some of the province’s most destitute children over the end-of-year holidays. Together, we can all work towards building a better society in KZN.”   Mchunu also extended her heartfelt thanks to the stakeholders who make this year’s social outreach programme possible.

Over the next weeks, the campaign will collect new toys for distribution at paediatric wards in state-owned facilities across the province. All Game stores will have collection boxes. Schools and business can request a Toy Story collection box by emailing toystory@ecr.co.za

This year, every cent of the funds donated to the campaign will be channelled into the Game AmaLunchbox project that is aimed at feeding children from disadvantaged backgrounds.  This project was launched in 2008 to curb the detrimental effects of hunger on the educational development of children – hungry children cannot concentrate on schoolwork. The AmaLunchbox project provides disadvantaged schools nationwide with the facilities to allow them to prepare nutritious meals in hygienic conditions.

“Game is proud to have been a Toy Story partner for the past six years, “ says Elisabeth Ric Hansen, Marketing, PR and CSI Manager at Game. “Toy Story is a project that is very close to our CSI projects focusing on the upliftment and enablement of disadvantaged children through the Amalunchbox school feeding program and the Tools to Teach and Tools to Play educational program.” 

Hansen added, “The feeling of knowing that a positive change has been made in the lives of disadvantaged children is priceless. We hope to bring some cheer, smiles and laughter to the lives of the children who benefit from the Toy Story project.”

Last year, residents and corporates across KZN helped make a difference in the lives of the province’s ill and disadvantaged children, by raising more than R1.5 million for East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game and donating more than 101 000 new toys.

Darren Maule and the East Coast Breakfast team broadcast live from Atholton Primary School to officially launch East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game. Pupils from the school donated the most number of toys to the campaign last year, compared to any other school in KZN. By 9am, when Darren, Keri Miller and Sky Tshabalala wrapped up the show, Atholton Primary pupils had already filled up four collection boxes with brand new toys!

If your school or business would like a collection box, kindly email toystory@ecr.co.za

Further info, including banking details, available at www.ecr.co.za

This edition by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton  

Night of 100 Stars

An evening like no other.

SUNCOAST invites you to spend a night amongst the stars at the 7^th edition of CANSA Night of 100 Stars on Monday, 9^th November 2015. 

Look out for the who’s who of entertainment including: Samantha Peo one of the judges from Strictly Come Dancing, Artist John Adams, Ian Von Memerty, Natalie Rungan, Idols sensation Brandon October, American Folk Group The South Jersey PomPoms joined by the talented Anton Cawthorn-Blazeby.

The show will be directed by Mark Hawkins.

Look out for Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIllroy.

Executive Director of SUNCOAST, Mike Dowsley encourages you to join them for an evening of entertainment all for a good cause to help CANSA KZN.

Cara Noble of CANSA reminds you that Night of 100 Stars is truly an amazing and rewarding evening.

All proceeds made on the evening go towards CANSA KZN cancer research projects and awareness campaigns in the Durban region.

Tickets for the evening include a 3 course dinner.

The dress code for the evening is Hollywood glam so dress for the stars.

To book tickets contact Cara Noble: cnoble@cansa.org.za

This edition by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton 

Cell C Sharks Visit Gateway

Proud team sponsor Cell C brought The Cell C Sharks to Gateway Theatre of Shopping for a meet and greet with fans on Thursday 26 March.

Aileen Rodel, Jean Deysel and the new Sharkie

Pimped Gumboots Won Splashy Fen Tickets with Gateway

Gateway recently held a competition for tickets to Splashy Fen.  Shoppers needed to pimp out their gumboots and post a picture on either of the Gateway Theatre of Shopping social media pages using the hashtag #PYG4Splashy

The 4 lucky winners were Violet Du Plessis, Craig Sloane, Sandy Chen and Gnatin Reddy.

Gateway is 'rocking back to school' 

Gateway recently held an initiative whereby they ran a collection for Adopt-a-School-Foundation.  Shoppers assisted by donating school items and toys in support of the foundation.

Donations were handed over to Adopt-a-School-Foundation and the Ndukwenhle Secondary School in Umlazi.

Bernice Maponyane - Adopt-a-School-Foundation and Nicole Peters from Gateway

This edition by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton

Images - supplied

More Than R1.6 million raised during Toy Story Corporate Challenge

KZN pledged R1.6 million for underprivileged children.

On Friday the Pavilion Shopping Centre saw a record amount being raised during the ECR Toy Story with Game.  The corporate challenge raised over R1.6 million.

(Darren Maule agreed to dye his hair blonde - R545 000 was raised during his show)

(Chad le Clos with Jane Linley-Thomas)

(Damon Beard starts the celebrations)

There were many more celebrities at the event including Gangs of Ballet, Mandoza and even the eThekwini Mayor who pledged R1000  from his own pocket.


To find out how you can help out visit www.ecr.co.za


Article by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton
Images - Supplied

Give joy, give a toy

Give joy, give a toy – East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game begins

(Odwa Ndungane (Sharks player) Zaba (ECR Presenter) Francois Kleynhans (Sharks Player) and Sharkie at the launch of East Coast Radio's Toy Story with Game.)  

There’s nothing more heartfelt than a smile that creeps across a child’s face. Few things can compare to the gurgle of excitement and squeal of delight when little fingers touch a new toy for the first time. East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game initiative has begun, aimed at giving a new toy to every child in government hospitals, state orphanages and crèches, and children’s homes that rely on government funding. For many of these little ones, these are the first new toys they would own.

Funds donated to the campaign will go towards buying food parcels for child-headed households in KwaZulu-Natal, to help see the children through the December holidays until school re-opens.  For many of these children, a school-sponsored meal is the only guaranteed meal of their day. The food parcels will help them make sure they don’t go hungry during the long end-of-year school break. Each food parcel is valued at R350 and contains items that can feed a family of four to six for around five weeks.

Last year, East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game initiative touched enough hearts in KZN to inspire the donation of 43 000 new toys and R1.4 million in cash. 100% of these contributions went towards helping ill and underprivileged children across our province. The toys helped lift spirits and warm little hearts while the money bought 4100 food parcels for child headed households.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative at East Coast Radio this morning (1 October 2014), the station’s general manager, Trish Taylor, says: “Toy Story is a deeply meaningful project for East Coast Radio. With the help of our listeners and key partners, we are able to help the poorest of the poor in our community and make a real difference in their lives. East Coast Radio and Game – our key sponsor, is committed to building a better society for KZN.”

Trish also extended East Coast Radio’s heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the stakeholders who make this key social outreach programme possible: the main sponsor, Game; the official couriers of the campaign, Dawn Wing; Round Table; Rotary and the Department of Health for allowing us to take toys and food parcels to outlying areas of KZN on its Air Mercy Services.

Now in its 14^th year, the initiative is once again calling on the people of KZN to help make a difference; to warm little hearts and help lift spirits – to give joy, give a toy. ECR presenter Zaba, who hosted the launch, described how her first toy, a doll named Sibongile, lit up her life, and was her friend, companion and confidant. To this day, Sibongile still has a space in Zaba’s room. “Giving a new toy to a child who is sick in hospital and who has possibly never owned anything new in his/her life, is a great way  to let them know that somebody still cares about them,” says Zaba.

East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game campaign wraps up on 17 December 2014. As has been the tradition over the past years, the campaign will move to Newcastle on 24 October 2014, for a live outside broadcast, giving residents and businesses in Northern KZN the chance to physically donate toys or make donations. The campaign’s Corporate Day Challenge moves to The Pavilion this year. From 6am to 6pm on 21 November 2014, celebrities and personalities will team up with East Coast Radio presenters, to man the telephones as the people of KZN pledge towards the campaign. Last year, the generous residents of our province helped raise more than R1 million during the East Coast Radio Toy Story with Game Corporate Day Challenge.

Game’s Marketing Manager, Elisabeth Ric-Hansen, says “Game is delighted to be part of the East Coast Radio Toy Story campaign for our fourth year running. During this time, we have helped made it possible for 133 000 children across KZN to receive a new toy – and indeed give them joy for Christmas. Game would like to thank East Coast Radio for a successful 4 year partnership as well as our Game team across stores and in the offices in KZN. We hope this year will be the biggest year of giving toys for joy across KZN.”

You can help by donating a new toy or making a cash donation at selected Game stores or at East Coast Radio’s HQ in Umhlanga. Cash donations can also be made online at www.ecr.co.za.  

Help ECR with their Toy Story Corporate Day

Today is the day to help out East Coast Radio with their Toy Story Corporate Day.
If you are a corporate dedicated to business in KZN see if you can help out.

There will be many celebrities and ECR DJ's on the phones today.
Some of the celebs include Deena Naidoo, Lisa Raleigh, Gangs Of Ballet, The Parlotones,
Damon Beard, Darren Maule, Makhozi Khoza, Abi Ray, Peter G, Megan Coleman and many more.

Call to pledge: 031-368-3603

Article and Images by +Fred Felton

Help Gordon Reid out in the fight against Childhood Cancer

Just heard that Gordon Reid will be riding the 106km PMB to Durban
Amashova cycle race in a Cow suit to raise money for the fight against
Childhood Cancer.

www.choc.org.za

Tweet him your well wishes @gordsreid

If you would care to donate to this worthy cause
here is a link to the donation page:

http://www.givengain.com/activist/101361/projects/

Be part of Toy Story 2012 with @ecr9495

Be part of Toy Story 2012!

Lee-ann Tours, Naveen Singh, Gerald Sieberhagen, Peter G and Bernie Joshua at the media

launch for Toy Story 2012.  

(Picture courtesy - Fiona Jane Photography) 

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by just how much despair there is around you everyday? Well, East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game is an opportunity for you to do your small part in the bigger picture of spreading cheer to those who desperately need it. It is a chance to reach out to children in government hospitals, crèches, orphanages and child-headed households around the province by donating new toys or cash, which goes towards food parcels.

Last year 50 000 new toys were handed out to excited little ones in need. R1.6-million was also received in cash donations, which helped to feed more 23 000 people for a period of 4-6 weeks. This year with the generosity of the people of KwaZulu-Natal East Coast Radio and Game are hoping to reach out to just as many people. The station’s General Manager Trish Taylor says, “Toy Story continues to touch the lives of tens of thousands of children, many of whom would otherwise never know the joy of a brand new toy. The food parcels are also a life-line to thousands of child-headed households each December.” 

Game’s Marketing Director Richard Millson says, “With toys being such a key gift item over the festive season, this project is a perfect fit to remind Game customers to give something back to someone in need. Collection boxes are placed in all our KZN stores, where customers can conveniently donate toys for Toy Story.”

The initiative would not be possible without Rotary’s team of volunteers who help to sort and distribute the toys collected. Berco Express facilitates the collections from Game stores and companies that get involved, while UTi assists with school collections. Red Cross Air Mercy Services play an integral role in transporting toys to outer lying areas of the province.

Whether you decide to make an online cash donation towards a food parcel, donate a toy in store or get your company or child’s school involved ‘Be part of Toy Story’.

(Source - East Coast Radio)  

Read All About The wonderful #ecrwinterwarmth Campaign by @ecr9495

This Week I was invited to the Media Launch of the ECR Winter Warmth Campaign.

MC ECR DJ @GabrielSithole started the launch by telling us all about the Campaign.
It is a 6 week campaign during which blankets or cash is used to buy blankets and are
collected for the less fortunate in our province.

The blankets are distributed across the province, with major emphasis on outer lying areas
where it is coldest, like Newcastle, Kokstad, Underberg and Eshowe.  These are distributed
by Rotary to old age homes, orphanages, creches and households in rural communities.

                        East Coast Radio General Manager Trish Taylor

Trish Taylor showed us how this project has grown significantly.  Around a quarter of a million blankets have been distributed across the province.  More than 40 000 blankets were distributed last year.
ECR hopes their listeners give heartedly this year.  Many people living in rural communities have no electricity and feel the full brunt of winter.  They're literally left out in the cold without the assistance of generous corporates and individuals.

                                       The Hub's Group Marketing Executive, Val Ives

Val Ives from The Hub says, ' We can't turn a blind eye to those who go cold. The Hub has chosen to focus our attention on making sure that many of these people will be warm this winter.  We hope that all the station's listeners will support the campaign to make sure that we can make a difference thousands of times over.'

Blankets can be purchased anywhere but they are available at The Hub at a cost of just R40 each.  They can be dropped off at any one of the more than 20 Hub Stores dotted throughout the province.
You can also make cash donations via the following means:

Donations Can be made to

• East Coast Radio Charitable Association
• Bank:  First National Bank Commercial
• Branch: Gateway
• Branch number: 25 01 08
• Account number: 622 224 283 37
• Reference: Your name

Online donations can be made here: www.ecr.co.za

Cash Donations can be made at till points in Hub stores.

For those of you on Twitter you can also create awareness of this campaign by using 

the hashtag #ecrwinterwarmth  

Source: East Coast Radio

Story by @fredfelton

Photography by @FionaJanePhotos

Interview with @MelanieMinnaar the lady behind Twitter Blanket Drive #TBDZA

This week we interview @MelanieMinnaar the driving force behind Twitter Blanket Drive #TBDZA

                                              Follow Her On Twitter @MelanieMinnaar

Where were we born?

I WAS BORN IN EAST LONDON, EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA – PROUDLY A BORDER GIRL :-) AND I MISS THE COAST A GREAT DEAL


Where do you work?  What does your company do?


I AM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HALO, A DYNAMIC AND YOUNG-SPIRITED INTEGRATED BRAND COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY, BASED IN THE SANDTON CBD IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCE.  THE AGENCY IS AMBITIOUS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING OUR COLLECTIVE VISION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A NEW AGE AGENCY.


Tell us about a day in the life of Melanie Minnaar?


I WAKE UP (NOT VOLUNTARILY) AT ABOUT 5AM SANDWICHED BETWEEN MY 2 STIRRING CHILDREN AND OUR CAT. I IMMEDIATELY CHECK MY BBM'S, WHATS APP AND SMS'S ON MY BLACKBERRY – THEN I CHECK MY SMS'S ON MY NOKIA – THEN I CHECK ALL EMAILS AND SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS ON MY IPAD. MY HUSBAND DELIVERS A MUG OF GOOD COFFEE TO THE BEDROOM AT ABOUT 6AM AS HE KNOWS THAT NO GOOD WILL COME OF MY DAY UNTIL I'VE GOT COFFEE IN MY BLOODSTREAM. AFTER COFFEE I HEAD TO THE KITCHEN TO PREPARE BREAKFAST FOR THE KIDS.  THE NANNY JOINS US JUST IN TIME TO GET THE CHILDREN READY AND DRESSED FOR SCHOOL. WITH MY ESCAPE PLAN HATCHED I RETREAT TO MY BEDROOM AND CONTINUE WORKING ON A DOCUMENT/PRESENTATION/PROPOSAL THAT WAS NOT COMPLETED THE NIGHT BEFORE. ONCE MY HUBBY LEAVES FOR THE SCHOOL RUN I HEAD FOR MY RUN/WALK FOR LIFE SESSION. AFTER A GOOD WORKOUT I HEAD HOME TO GET CLEANED UP AND POLISHED FOR MY WORK DAY AHEAD. 

MY WORK DAY VARIES FROM DAY TO DAY WHICH I LIKE; USUALLY SOME MEETINGS, PRESENTATIONS, PREPARATION OF CLIENT PROPOSALS, HARASSING OF THE CREATIVE TEAM, DRIVING THE ADMIN TEAM NUTS – ALL PAR FOR THE COURSE…

I GET HOME BETWEEN 5PM-6PM IN TIME TO HAVE DINNER WITH THE FAMILY. THE EARLY EVENING IS SPENT REVISING SCHOOL HOMEWORK AND ALSO BUILDING PUZZLES, DRAWING OR PLAYING A GAME WITH THE KIDS BEFORE THEIR BEDTIME AT 7PM. 

IN BETWEEN, I DRINK A LOT OF COFFEE AND TWEET A LOT…

You started Twitter Blanket Drive #TBDZA how did that all start and what's it all about?

IT'S SIMPLY A BUNCH OF LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS FORMED AND BUILT ON TWITTER.

#TBDZA IS NOT AN ORGANISATION, NOR IS IT A FUNDRAISING PROJECT, IT IS A "MOVEMENT" (AS IT WAS FIRST DESCRIBED BY BARRY BRAMLEY) THAT MOBILISES PEOPLE TO DO SOMETHING – WHATEVER THEY CAN – WHERE THEY ARE – RIGHT NOW.

THE HISTORY OF THE PROJECT IS ON THE WEBSITE SO I'M NOT GOING TO REPEAT IT ALL HERE :-) WWW.TWITTERBLANKETDRIVE.CO.ZA

What date is #TBDZA and what time do all these events begin?

ALL EVENTS TAKE PLACE ON THE SAME DAY, 26 MAY 2012 AT 6PM.  SOME EVENTS WILL HAVE ACTIVITIES EARLIER IN THE DAY BUT THE CRITICAL TIME IS 6-8PM WHEN THE VIRTUAL COLLECTIVE OF TWEEPS AT ALL #TBDZA EVENTS COME ONLINE FOR THE LARGEST TWEETUP FOR GOOD (THAT'S OFFICIAL – I'VE CHECKED THAT NO RECORD OFFICIAL EXISTS WITH GUINESS WORLD RECORDS)

How can all the Tweeps on Twitter help?

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE TO GET INVOLVED IN #TBDZA:

1.  TWEET YOUR SUPPORT AND SPREAD AWARENESS OF THE EVENT

2.  RT NEWS OF OTHER EVENTS AND SUPPORT THEM TOO

3.  HOST AN EVENT IN YOUR AREA

4.  ATTEND AN EVENT IN YOUR AREA

5.  DONATE A BLANKET AT ANY DROPOFF POINT BEFORE 25 MAY IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO ANY EVENT

6.  GET YOUR COMPANY INVOLVED WITH A STAFF BLANKET DRIVE OR BULK BLANKET DONATION

7.  ASSIST WITH AN EVENT BY SUPPLYING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS A/V SCREENS, CATERING, PHOTOGRAPHY, MUSIC, HELP WITH REGISTRATION, HELP WITH COUNTING BLANKETS

8.  VOLUNTEER TO DO A MORE FORMAL HANDOVER OF BLANKETS TO CHARITIES BY ARRANGING A GROUP TO ATTEND THE HANDOVER, PHOTOGRAPHER, ETC

9.  WE ARE DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR A SPONSOR OF PACKING BOXES FOR DROP OFF POINTS, AND THE PRINTING OF THE LABELS FOR THE BOXES

10.  TURN YOUR OWN EVENT INTO A FEEDER EVENT FOR #TBDZA 

ETC, ETC, ETC…

Your favourite motivational quote?

I HAVE SO MANY… IT IS DIFFICULT TO CHOOSE JUST ONE… PERHAPS:

"JUST PUT ON YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES AND GO GET IT DONE" :-)

What book are you currently reading?

"WHY YOUR WORLD IS ABOUT TO GET A WHOLE LOT SMALLER – OIL AND THE END OF GLOBALISATION" - JEFF RUBIN, VIRGIN BOOKS

Favourite Holiday Destination? 

IF I TRAVEL ALONE IT WOULD HAVE TO BE NEW YORK.

FOR FAMILY HOLIDAYS THE BEST PLACE IS MPUMALANGA, SOUTH AFRICA – ANYWHERE AROUND KAAPSEHOOP OR HAZYVIEW. WE LOVE THE DINOSAUR PARK NEAR THE SUDWALA CAVES, AND OUR FAVOURITE 'CHILL' DESTINATION IS THE KAAPSEHOOP RIDING CAMP WITH ACCOMMODATION WHICH MY KIDS LOVE BECAUSE IT'S FULL OF REAL COWBOYS!  THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO MPUMALANGA THAN KNP :-) - WE NEED TO EXPLORE OUR OWN COUNTRY MORE.

Well she certainly is a very interesting person and you can see why she is in charge of this wonderful event.

Here are some useful images you can download and put on your website or blog or facebook page to create awareness of this wonderful event.

This year #FollowSA is partnering with #TBDZA and follow the tweets to see all they and @Jodenecoza are doing.

Some useful links for Twitter Blanket Drive

Please use the hashtag #TBDZA when you tweet about it.

Join their Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/TBDZA

In Durban North @Livingstons_DBN will be hosting a event on 6th May at 4pm.  Bring a Blanket.  Meet some Tweeps.   They will also have an event on 26th May.

If you are in the area pop by -  http://www.facebook.com/events/226985800740157/

You can also find the invite on Twitter -  http://tweetvite.com/event/tbdzafollowsadurban

There will also be an event at Olive and Oil Hillcrest 6th May 4pm.  Tweet @MsBehavinB for details 

We are also pleased to say that Spiga D'Oro in Floriday Road is also a official drop off point as from Sunday.
They will be having a chilled event from 5 - 7 pm and a big event on the 26th.
So pop by on Sunday have a drink and drop off some blankets.
You can find Spiga on Twitter at @spiga_durban
You can also follow them on Facebook -
 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiga-dOro-Florida-Road/110321135661734


If you can't make these events you can drop by anytime in May at Livingstons Durban
or Spiga D'Oro in Florida Road to drop off a blanket.

We would also like to thank Fiona Jane Photography for helping out with the Photography at these events.
You can follow her on Twitter - @FionaJanePhotos
Join her Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiona-Jane-Photography/310784055645291

When you come to the event please tweet as much as you can using the hashtag #TBDZA

Check in using Foursquare and above all have fun.

Twitter Blanket Drive

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BLANKET DRIVE 2011
The power of social networking and the strength of the SA Twitter community has flexed its muscles once again and the
Twitter Blanket Drive (“#TBD”) is underway once again.
#TBD is a South African national charity drive managed and supported by the local Twitter community. "#TBD" is the
Twitter hashtag that you can use to look up all related posts and information. "#TBD" is the acronym for "Twitter Blanket
Drive".   The idea is for "Tweeps" to meet up ("tweetup") at venues around the country on the same day, at the same time
to share a warm cup of coffee – and to donate a blanket or two.   There are 800 000 Tweeps in SA. If 1% contribute we
can raise 8 000 blankets. There are 4 ways to participate and show your support: RSVP and attend a Tweetup. Don’t
forget to bring a blanket to donate.
In 2011 @melanieminnaar posted a Tweet on Twitter suggesting that it would be great if the SA Twitter community (SA
Tweeps) could donate blankets to those in need this winter. That tweet raised hundreds of blankets and over R25,000.00
in cash donations that were distributed to organisations and needy people countrywide.
Several corporate have shown their support for this initiative by either matching blanket collections in cash or by holding
staff blanket drives to contribute to #TBD.
You can donate blankets and clothing. New or used. Cash donations can be made as well but only directly to the selected
charities for #TBD 2011. We will publish links to their websites or make their banking details available to you via
www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za. Please note that #TBD *is not* an NGO or official charity organisation – no cash donations
should be made to any person representing #TBD. This is viewed as fraudulent and therefore illegal.
Events take place on Saturday, 4 June 2011 in the following centres:
Area  Venue  Time  Twitter host
Sandton Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rosebank 6pm – 10pm @MelanieMinnaar
Benoni The Coffee Shop, Rynfield 6pm @jackiejvr
West Rand SilverStar Casino 6pm @ReneeEverett
Pretoria The Blades  6pm @sdiedericks
Cape Town NewsCafe at Artscape 4.30pm @alambchop
Hermanus OCF offices, Gateway Centre 6pm @talitharabie
Plettenberg Bay Fynbos Ridge Country House 6pm @fynbosridge
Somerset West TBC  6pm @Helderberginfo
Knysna Mitchell’s Brewery beer garden 2pm – 4pm @marleneboyce
Durban  Luna Rossa, Gateway S/C 11am - 4pm @waewest
Durban north Livingstone Gastro Pub, Glenore Centre 6pm - 8pm @askashe
South coast The Bistro, Ramsgate 6pm - 8pm @SouthCoastLive
Eastern Cape  East London TBC  TBC @slummiesgirl
Port Elizabeth Vovo Telo Pizzeria 6pm @mon_tays
RSVP’s are encouraged and can be done online via the official #TBD website; www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za
For anyone wishing to donate but who cannot attend any of the events, Williams Hunt dealerships nationwide are once
again drop off points for blankets and clothing (no cash donations). For more information visit
www.twitterblanketdrive.co.za
Melanie Minnaar (Founder & national co-ordinator)
Twitter: @MelanieMinnaar
Email: melanie@twitterblanketdrive.co.za

Capetonian Magician To Entertain Local Theatre-Goers With His Signature Tricks

23 May 2011

‘Corporate Magician’, Marcel Oudejans, will be performing at the Playhouse Theatre Somerset West on 17^th & 18^th June 2011 to help raise funds for the Hottentots Holland Dramatic Society (HHDS).

For over a decade, Marcel Oudejans has been requested to perform for CEOs, Presidents, Directors and VIP clients of over 100 companies and events all over Southern Africa, Nairobi, Trivandrum, London & Los Angeles . Now for the first time, after performing for more than 10 000 hours and over 35 000 people, the general public will be able to watch and participate in the show that features his favourite tricks, illusions and stories from his professional performing career.
Born and bred in Bellville, Marcel started performing from age 9 and by 23 decided to become a full-time performer. Besides travelling Southern Africa and abroad as an entertainer for corporate events, he’s also used his skills and talents to author a book, speak on customer service and motivation, and start a management consulting business. “As a ‘commercial performing artist’, I have a great respect and appreciation for amateur drama performers and this is the perfect opportunity for me to ‘give back’ to an enthusiastic group like HHDS,” says Marcel.
The show promises to keep audience-members of all ages captivated, enchanted and laughing with Marcel’s quick (and clean) humour, acts of ‘mind-reading’ and ‘metal-bending’, classic sleight-of-hand, and plenty of hilarious audience interaction where absolutely anything could happen!
Tickets are R60,00 per person (available through Computicket) and funds raised will be used for refurbishing and maintenance of the Playhouse theatre. The content of this performance, while 100% appropriate for families, has been designed for adults. To ensure that everyone enjoys the performance, any children under 16 must be supervised & remain with their parents at all times. Children will not be allowed on stage.


TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH COMPUTICKET
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS


Follow Marcel on Twitter to keep updated:   @Marcel_Perform

More info here:  http://ht.ly/50ADq