Gifts collected through the Giving Tree project were distributed to needy children from various NGOs.
The Giving Tree, a project by the Rotary Club of South Peninsula-Cape Town and Longbeach Mall, provided Christmas gifts to more than 1 200 needy children.
The project invited shoppers at Longbeach Mall to choose "angel" tags hanging from the Giving Tree.
Each tag had the name, age, and special wish of a child in need. Shoppers were encouraged to buy the gifts, wrap them, and attach the angel tags before returning them to the mall.
These gifts were then distributed to children in time for Christmas.
Dr Jane White, president of the Rotary Club of South Peninsula-Cape Town, thanked everyone who participated in the Giving Tree project.
“Thanks to the generosity and kindness of all involved, we were able to bring joy to over 1 200 children in need during the festive season,” she said.
Every angel taken, every gift purchased and every moment spent on the project had made a real difference in the children's lives, Dr White said.
“Your support not only brought smiles to children’s faces but also reinforced the values of compassion and care that make our community so exceptional.”
One of the beneficiaries of the project was Vigis Home of Hope, an NGO that supports children and youth.
According to the director, Dimetre Vigis, when the children wrote down their wishes on the angel tags, they didn’t fully understand what it was for because the organistion wanted to be careful not to raise expectations.
Reading the children’s wishes had been both touching and eye-opening, he said, noting that some children had asked for school shoes, stationery and a takeaway food voucher.
When the gifts had finally been delivered, the children’s reactions had been unforgettable, he said.
“Some children were jumping up and down, while others were staring at their gifts in disbelief,” he added. One child even received a new cellphone.
“There was so much laughter and joy that it felt like nothing else mattered in the world. We hope the happiness from moments like this lasts a lifetime. Because of the gifts, our kids now know that they are deeply loved,” Mr Vigis said.
The Rotary Club of South Peninsula-Cape Town and Longbeach Mall hope to continue the project next year.