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GEORGE NEWS AND GALLERY - The spirit of Christmas was well and truly alive on the afternoon of 12 December as the Gift of Hope Drive brought smiles, laughter and festive cheer to communities along the Garden Route.
This Christmas-themed community initiative was arranged by the Sector 5 CPF, the police, SANParks, the Wilderness Defence Force, the Langvlei Dunes Neighbourhood Watch and the AfriForum Vic Bay Neighbourhood Watch.
The team was also supported by several others, including the Provincial Traffic Department, the Wilderness Fire Station, the CMS and teams from Firstcare Wildfire Support.
The convoy set off from the Wilderness area, travelling through the Wilderness National Park, along Waterside Drive past the lagoon before making its way up to Wilderness Heights.
Parents and children from Hoekwil couldn't wait for Santa to arrive
From there, the festive procession continued on a heartwarming journey to Touwsranten, Hoekwil, Wilderness East, Langvlei Dunes and Kleinkrantz, before looping back to the Views Boutique Hotel.
Santa and his two helpers
Wherever the convoy went, it carried more than just decorations and Christmas spirit. It delivered moments of joy, connection and kindness, particularly for children who eagerly awaited a glimpse of Santa and the colourful vehicles passing through their neighbourhoods.
After the drive, the organisers and participants received a heartfelt message from Santa himself, reflecting on the impact of the day. He thanked everyone involved in organising the event and those who took part, noting that no words or photographs could truly capture the joy seen in the children's eyes, and in the adults' too.
Santa shared that despite having lived abroad and travelling extensively, he could say with complete sincerity that South Africans are a very special people. The love, joy, kindness, community spirit and selflessness witnessed during the Gift of Hope Drive, he said, was something he had only ever experienced here.
Marguerite van Ginkel, Sector 5 CPF co-ordinator, extended a special word of thanks to Warrant Officer Jan Kühn for going the extra mile, not only in organising the event, but also for his continued dedication and service to the community.
The children showed great excitement, with the tennis balls proving to be a particular hit. Photo: Sanjay Lalwani
The Gift of Hope Drive once again proved that sometimes the greatest gifts are not found under a tree, but in shared moments, open hearts and a community coming together to spread hope.
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