Makro Port Elizabeth has donated R20 000 to two non profit organisations in St Francis Bay. They are Friends of St Francis Fire and Rescue (FSFFRS) and the Rotary recycle swap shop project that respectively received R15000 and R5000.
The retail giant responded to the plight of St Francis Bay after the November fire that destroyed 76 homes, by giving a Makro gift card for R15 000 to aid in the Friends St Francis Fire and Rescue Services’ efforts to equip local rescue services.
According to the announcement put out by the FSFFRS, immediately after the fire Makro sent a five-man team to St Francis Bay to meet with members of the Fire Disaster Fund’s committee. Their mission was to explore and identify ways in which they could assist the St Francis community.
Makro Marketing Manager for Port Elizabeth, Ralph Kuhn, said, “We are deeply shocked by this disaster and want to make certain that assistance of the most meaningful nature is given to those most affected. We are awaiting guidance from the fund committee as how best we can be of assistance.”
He said in the interim Makro was proving the FSFFRS with a gift card.
Accepting the donation on behalf of the FSFFRS, Shelley Donaldson praised the ‘amazing gesture’. “We have already been in to the store in Port Elizabeth to identify items to source from Makro.
“We assure everyone that the money will be wisely spent. It is really heart-warming to know that the plight of our little town has attracted the attention and concern of a major Port Elizabeth retailer. We thank the Makro team from the bottom of our hearts on behalf of the whole community.”
Kuhn also handed over a gift card for R5000 to Lyn Aitken, chairman of the St Francis Rotary Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Jeffreys Bay. Aitken, who is serving on the disaster fund committee, said these funds will be put towards the Rotary Recycle Swap Shop project which runs at the Talhado Children’s Haven in Sea Vista.
“Makro management has a proactive social responsibility programme with special interest in food security and community development. They expressed interest in the Recycle Swap Shop project and immediately offered financial support to help us stock our shop with school stationery ready for the new school year. This donation will have an important impact on the school readiness of our less privileged children.”
For more info on St Francis Fire and Rescue Services call Donaldson on 076 212 8256 or for more on Rotary call Aitken on 082 777 5624.
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