Cape Town: The city firefighters brought Christmas cheer by helping many children in homes and places of safety. The Fire & Rescue Service with the generous support of Pick n Pay began to hand over wrapped gifts to children at eight care facilities across the city.
Reportedly, the Fire and Rescue Service decided to pay forward the support it received from the public, businesses and NGOs last summer, when a number of devastating fires kept firefighters on the front lines.
It is a generous support they received in the form of sustenance donations that allowed the Firefighters to get on with the business at hand by fighting all the fires which was experienced in the City of Cape Town.
Considering this, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) – Clinton Manuel made a call for Fire Service Christmas Boxes that needed to be filled with gifts, to members of the services who immediately sprang into action.
Manuel said that while they cannot reach each person who supported them, so they decided to give back to their communities in the form of a social outreach in recognition. He thanked the donors from whom they received support during the wildfire period.
However, the call for donations from staff soon morphed into something even bigger than they could have hoped for, as Pick n Pay came on board to help and fulfill all the Christmas wishes.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith said that he is incredibly proud of this collaboration and what has been achieved.
Smith said Santa may deliver in a sleigh on Christmas Eve but the firefighters have just distributed gifts in their shiny red fire engines. This was the cause for much excitement and delight that ensured a festive and bright Christmas for many children in less fortunate circumstances.
Moreover, the homes that will be visited by the firefighters before Christmas are Heaven’s Nest in Ottery, Habibia Children’s Home in Rylands, Heartlands Baby Sanctuary in Somerset West, Little Angels Home in Somerset West, Luthando Orphanage and Child Care in Flamingo Vlei, Rainbow of Hope on Goodwood, South African Children’s Home in Gardens and St. George’s House in Wynberg.