Cape Town Job Creation Groups and Premier's Wife Charity Fund Team up to Provide Children with Patchwork Blankets

More than fifty residents of a Cape Town home caring for orphans suffering from incurable diseases, will this week receive a first donation of children's patchwork blankets - the latest project of the Western Cape Premier's Wife Charity Fund. Mrs Suzette van Schalkwyk and her committee members will be handing over the blankets at Nazareth House in Vredehoek, Cape Town, this morning (Tuesday, 3 February).

This project was started about six months ago as an initiative of Mrs Van Schalkwyk. The blankets are manufactured by Western Cape job creation groups such as the Chrysalis Academy in Tokai and the Christian Women's Action Group in Eerste River. These groups are compensated by the Premier's Wife Charity Fund with money generated through fund-raising events, while the material for the blankets is mostly donated. Material has already been donated by, amongst others, a well-known Cape Town clothing designer and a leading children's clothing store.

"We decided on blankets, since they not only serve a practical purpose, but also provide children with a sense of safety and security - even more so when the children are ill and needy. At the same time much-needed jobs are provided to groups who are empowering themselves and others. We plan to donate blankets to more children's homes in the future, as well as to homes caring for young Aids sufferers. Donations will also be extended to the Western Cape rural area," Mrs Van Schalkwyk said.

The Western Cape Premier's Wife Charity Fund has also concluded a co-operative agreement with the sewing machine group, Elna, and the children's clothing store, Keedo. As part of the agreement the two groups are running a competition for the most impressive blanket. Participants have the opportunity to donate their entries to charity, and to win an Elna Funstyler sewing machine or 500 Keedo vouchers. The closing date is 31 May 2004.

Any job creation group that would like to become involved, or people who wish to donate material, batting or blankets, or wish to sponsor a blanket for R50, may call Mrs Jorietha Henn at tel. (021) 483-4705/6.

The first blankets will be handed over at 10:00AM on Tuesday, 3 February 2004, at Nazareth House, Derry Street, Vredehoek. All media are welcome.

Enquiries: Riana Geldenhuys - 082 376 4709