GEORGE NEWS - Some people wish for a trip to a tropical island, others wish there were more boutique stores to shop at in George...
But the children and adults supported by the below organisations wish for small things; a warm jersey to wear during the cold nights, an extra pair of socks to keep their feet warm or a pretty summer's dress to wear to church!

Join Werner Fourie Optometrists and the George Herald in collecting 10 000 pieces of clothing before the end of November to be donated to the charities below.

Clothes - new or second hand, big or small, summer or winter - can be dropped off at; Werner Fourie Optometrists on the corner of Courtenay and Wellington Street, at the George Herald’s office at 72 York Street, the George Herald factory in Ring Road or at Garden Route Pool & Spa in Hibernia Street (opposite De Jager's).

If you would like us to collect clothes from you, please contact Angelique Potgieter on 044 874 2424 or Werner Fourie on 044 873 4888.


BETHESDA CHILD AND YOUTH CARE CENTRE



Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre is registered with the Department of Social Development to care for 45 boys and girls between the ages of 18 months and 18 years. The children here have been exposed to neglect, abuse, absence of parents or other poor socio-economic circumstances.
The dedicated team at Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre makes sure that every child is cared for in a holistic way.
At Bethesda, children have access to basic care (food, clothing, and shelter), medical care, education, emotional and spiritual counselling, opportunities to build their skills and talents, sport and cultural activities. Basic life skills are learned through various programmes offered to the children.
Some of the children have contact with their parents, family members or significant others during holidays and some weekends.
Bethesda Child and Youth Care Centre has a need for clothes for teenage boys and girls.


THE HAVEN NIGHT SHELTER



The Haven Night Shelter in Hope Street is a safe place for homeless, destitute and desperately poor adults.
It is the shelter’s mission to provide those who have nowhere else to go with temporary shelter, food, clothing and, when necessary, the administration of medicine.
Many of those who seek refuge at the shelter are psychologically damaged or alcohol and drug dependant.
Presently, the shelter has a bed capacity of 70 people per night.
Admission to the shelter is granted between 17:30 and 18:15 on weekdays, and between 17:00 and 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays at a fee of R20 per person. Residents have until 08:00 the next morning to vacate the premises. Those who are sick or unable to be on the streets due to disabilities or mental situations, are allowed to spend the day in the shelter.

The Haven Night Shelter has a desperate need for clothing for adult men of a slim build.


LIFE COMMUNITY SERVICES



LIFE Community Services is a non-profit organisation established to confront the dilemmas and crises facing impoverished children in our community.
The LIFE Community Services ministry started in 1999 when a local church (Patria Bible Church) saw that some children coming in off the street could not concentrate during church services.
Some of the issues confronting the LIFE Community Services ministry include the growing AIDS and TB crisis, the increasing divorce rate and increased alcholism - which has led to incredible poverty.
Currently, LIFE Community Services ministers to children and teenagers of all ages through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, skills training, nutritional food and other meaningful programmes.
It is LIFE Community Services’ vision to mobilise churches - both locally and across the world - to give of their time and resources to the communities with the greatest needs.

 LIFE Community Services is in great need of clothes for children of all ages, especially teenagers.


OPTIONS CARE CENTRE



Options Care Centre - a project of Youth for Christ - is a place in George where people can go who are facing an HIV, pregnancy or related crisis. Our doors and our hearts are open to empowering, encouraging and strengthening people who find themselves in difficult and stressful circumstances. Love and compassion are expressed through counselling and all our supporting projects as we care for people and their needs.
We’ve started support groups for HIV+ people and single moms and we have a Teen Moms Club for young mothers who need equipping and empowering.
We also offer Ante-Natal Classes, sonars, and breast-feeding support.
Each year more than 2000 teenagers, women, men, and their families are being helped through the work of Options. It is their vision to impact and develop the lives of people facing pregnancy and HIV related crises.

Options Care Centre needs clothing for babies and children.


SOLIDARITEIT HELPENDE HANDE



Solidariteit Helpende Hand is 'n Artikel 21-maatskappy wat funksioneer binne die breë raamwerk van die Solidariteit-beweging wat fokus om Afrikaanse jongmense vir die werkplek voor te berei en om gemeenskappe in staat te stel om oplossings te vind vir die maatskaplike nood in hulle omgewing.
'n Groot getal van die bykans 600 000 blanke armoediges woon in ons gemeenskap en Helpende Hand voeg die daad by die woord en rol die moue op om sodoende 'n wesenlike verskil te maak.
Vanaf 1 Oktober word hierdie aksie voortgesit vanaf die Eden Gemeenskapshuis, (op die hoek van Meade- en Laingstraat) reg oorkant Laerskool George-Suid.
Tans word sowat 80 gesinne in George deur die organisasie ondersteun.

Solidariteit Helpende Hand het ‘n groot behoefte aan klere vir mans en vrouens, asook kinders.