Eight primary schools in and around Athlone benefitted from a blanket drive by Turquoise Harmony Institute and Star College in Bridgetown on Tuesday 13 June when 800 blankets were handed over. Each of the eight schools received 100 blankets and the event was attended by representatives of the schools as well as Rashid Adams Ward 49 councillor.
The eight primary schools are Willows, Starling, Bokmakierie, Kewton, Alicedale, Woodlands, Heideveld and Parkfields.
According to Kulsum Parker, organiser of the blanket drive, the invited schools eagerly accepted the blankets and expressed their heartfelt gratitude.
“A special mention was made of Heideveld Primary School, where a team of both institutions delivered 100 blankets to the foundation phase. This personalised gesture was met with immense appreciation from the schools, as it exemplified the commitment of the organisers to positively impact the lives on an individual level,” she says.
Adams commended the efforts of the two institutions, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in building social cohesion within the community.
He encouraged other schools and organisations to follow in the footsteps set by the two institutions, emphasising the significant difference that collective efforts can make in creating a warmer and more caring society.
Diane Williams, principal of Parkfields Primary School, in Hanover Park, expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the school recipients, describing the invitation to participate in the blanket drive as a goosebump-inducing moment.
She emphasised the positive impact this initiative would have on the lives of the students and their families, acknowledging that the donated blankets would provide much-needed warmth during the winter season.
“We, Turquoise Harmony Institute and Star College extend our gratitude to the community, family and friends for their continued support and urge them to contribute further, enabling even more people to experience a warmer winter. Your shared commitment to making a difference demonstrates the power of collective action in fostering a compassionate, caring society.
“Through the successful blanket drive, we have not only provided physical warmth but also showcased the strength of unity and compassion, inspiring others to join the cause and bring positive change to their respective communities,” Parker says.
