Winter Warmers
Winter Warmers 2022
"Never stop doing little things for others. Sometimes, those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.”
Indian writer, Ritu Ghatourney
It’s that time of year again when we run our Winter Warmers campaign. This will be the 7th year
of this initiative, so on behalf of the Parish Council and Community Outreach we would like to make a special appeal to all our parishioners and, through you all, to those beyond our parish to support our annual winter warmers campaign.
It is one of the major parish drives in the year when we reach out to those people who are less fortunate than ourselves, and those who are really destitute on our doorstep here in the Cape. Through this big-hearted campaign, we can bring some warmth and comfort to families who struggle to, literally, keep body and soul together.
The continuing long slow grind of the pandemic and other economic factors have left many more of us without jobs and without hope, easy prey to gang violence and drug addiction. It will be a dark and cold winter for many.
But we can bring a ray of hope and support through this campaign, to help restore some dignity and give courage to those persevering in these tough times.
The Campaign
3 Weeks from 7/8 May until 28/29 May
The campaign will run over 3 weeks starting 7/8 May with the final collection of items being the weekend of 28/29 May when the bags were collected and taken for distribution to the beneficiaries.
Key dates
- Start: 7/8 May
- End: 28/29 May
- Distributed to beneficiaries: 30 May - 6 June
Who We Help
Beneficiaries
All donations will go to:
- St. Vincent de Paul Society in Hout Bay, Steenberg & Delft
- Catholic Parishes
- Missionaries of Charity Khayelitsha
- NOAH
They serve the communities in these areas where the need is greatest, where people are marginalised and who have little other help.
What
This year we are collecting the below
- Clothing – jackets, shirts, pants, jerseys, socks, slacks, dresses, blouses, etc. – any clothing items.
- Bedding – sheets, blankets, duvets, pillowslips, pillows (you can also donate towels)
- Cash – used exclusively for the purchase of blankets.
For those who feel they do not have any items to donate, but would like to support the campaign, we encourage you to make a cash donation towards the purchase of blankets. The blankets are obtained at a very reasonable price of R110.00 each.
Cash donations can be made via EFT into the Constantia Parish Bank Account, details of which are in the bulletin and our website. Please reference Winter Warmers in your payment.
Banking details:
Constantia Catholic Church / Standard Bank, Branch 025 309 / Acc #: 07 169 8965,
REF: Winter Warmers
Last year we were able to purchase 1,400 blankets which were distributed via the SVdP ministries to 13 parishes and the Missionaries of Charity Sisters in Khayelitsha. A truly remarkable achievement for our parish.
How it Works?
Please drop off donations at the Parish office during office hours or you can drop off at the church at Mass by May 28/29.
Please pack all articles donated in to large plastic refuse bags (clear or black) or equivalent for ease of handling. Also please make sure that everything is in a good state of repair and clean as we do not have the resources to mend and clean items.
Everything you donate – 100% of the cash, and the items – will go to the needy.
Spread the Word
Finally, lets spread the word, invite extended family and friends to support this campaign. Volunteer to help empty out your friends and family’s cupboards,
Thank you in advance for your generousity.
CONTACT US
For more information contact:
Rod Norman
Winter Warmers Co-ordinator
Community Outreach Committee
Contact Rod via the Parish Office on
021 794 5185 or materecl@constantiacatholic.co.za
ABOUT ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Run almost entirely by volunteers, the St Vincent de Paul Society, founded in 1833, is a worldwide organisation of lay Catholics who want to express their faith through service to the poor by alleviating the lives of the poor and destitute.
It has been operating in South Africa since 1856 and is a registered non-profit and public benefit organisation (NPO 003/193).
Every day, its 2500 members and volunteers (from over 200 parish committees known as ‘conferences’) reach out to vulnerable and marginalized people in their local community, aiming to provide a hand up, not just a hand out to help people escape the trap of poverty. These are groups of members from all walks of life who join together to relieve suffering and promote human dignity amongst the poor.
The Mission of the St Vincent de Paul Society in South Africa is to deepen the faith of its members – to go out into our nation to heighten the awareness of Jesus Christ.
They do this by sharing themselves (who they are and what they have) with the poor on a person-to-person basis. They seek to co-operate in shaping a more just and compassionate South African community.
Their preferred option in this mission of service is to work with the poor in development, by respecting their dignity, sharing their hope, and encouraging them to take control of their destiny.
St. Vincent de Paul said; “There is no better way to ensure our eternal happiness than to live and die in the service of the poor.”
QUOTES
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
― John Bunyan
“Non nobis solum nati sumus.
(Not for ourselves alone are we born.)”
― Marcus Tullius Cicero
“Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same -- with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead.”
― St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata
“Give, but give until it hurts.”
― St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata
“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.”
― Shannon L. Alder
“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others
cannot keep it from themselves.”
― James Matthew Barrie
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions,
and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
― Amelia Earhart
“An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves.”
― Lydia M. Child
“To me, there are saints every day.
They stand up and help others
and live for others
and do things for others.”
― Theodore Melfi
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
― Proverbs 11:25
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
― Luke 6:38
THANK YOU LETTERS 2021
"We as St Jude’s Conference would like to wholeheartedly thank you for your kind donation of 100 blankets which we have received during the Month of June 2021. These blankets were a Godsend and blessings for those whom have received the blankets as this winter on the West Coast would be very cold. We have distributed your blankets with our monthly food parcels this past weekend, in the following areas; Elandsbay. Velddrift, St Helena Bay, Vredenburg and Saldanha."
Grant Julius, President
"On behalf of the good people of Delft I write to express our heartfelt appreciation to you and to the Outreach team of Constantia Parish for your support and donation of clothes and blankets. We have received the blankets as well and may God continue to strengthen and bless you always. Once again thanks a million times. "
Fr Temi Eyeowa, CMF
"Your kind gesture made a great impact on the needy in our communities. Also your continued support towards our monthly food parcels and soup kitchens makes a huge difference in the lives of the poor of Cape Town and surrounds. Thank you. May the light of our Heavenly Father continue to shine upon you and your loved ones."
" Greetings and best wishes. Trust that you are keeping well and staying safe. This letter serves to thank you and the parishioners of Our Lady of the Visitation, Constantia, for the wonderful donation of 100 blankets received recently. These blankets have come in handy, as we were able to assist families who lost most of their possessions in a fire recently. The others we hand out to those most in need, when we distribute soup and a meal on Tuesdays and Fridays. This we do as there is always a demand in the community. Thank you once again for your generosity. It is highly appreciated.
With every good wish and blessing."
Yours in Christ
Fr Peter Ziegler, Parish Priest
"On behalf of the Saint Vincent de Paul members of the above mentioned conference, I want to thank you and the parishioners of Our Lady of the Visitation for providing us with 100 blankets to continue the good works of the St Vincent de Paul Society.
We are deeply moved by your generosity. I want you to know that your Winter Warmth Blanket Project made a major difference for a number of destitute people. We have started handing out blankets to Flamingo Crescent informal Settlement and to Lansdowne Station Homeless settlement.
You brought happiness, comfort and warmth to so many who are desperately struggling to survive the cold winter months. I am forwarding the photos of our handout.
Take care and stay safe."
Yours in serving in hope
Gerardine Herbert
"It is with a humble and grateful heart, we the SVP Conference of Regina Coeli, St Francis Conference, would love to thank you for your awesome kindness of your donation of the 100 winter blankets. Your support, encouragement and commitment to reaching our goals in providing for the less privileged people of our community of Vygieskraal, Kewtown and Slivertown.
We pray that the Good Lord keep you and your family well and safe.
God Bless."
Yours in Christ, Ivan Dingwill, PRESIDENT
