As South Africa battles the third wave of the COVID pandemic, Cars.co.za has partnered with Ford South Africa to assist the Gift of the Givers Foundation in bringing much needed warmth to those who most desperately needit during this winter season. See the article below to find out how you can support our Winter Blanket Drive and make a difference.

As our convoy of Ford Rangers pulled into the small town of Touws River in the Western Cape on a particularly cold, mid-winter day, the impact that the COVID19 pandemic has had on this area was immediately apparent. Several of the businesses in the area (including game farms and a train repair company) have had to shut their doors, and the result is that unemployment in the community is as high as 80%. Following an earlier visit by the Gift of the Givers Foundation, it was established that immediate assistance was required– many elderly inhabitants, for example, were taking medicine (if they could findthat) on empty stomachs and children were going to bed hungry. And so on this particular mission the Gift of the Givers delivered 5 tonnes of goods, including blankets, food, care packages and supplies for the local soup kitchen.

Members of the Touws River community receive their care packages from Gift of the Givers, Ford and Cars.co.za.

“We have been observing the great work that Gift of the Givers has done all across our country, and have also been looking for a way in which we can play our part,” says Cars.co.za’s Hannes Oosthuizen.“It is therefore a pleasure and an honour forusto join forces with the Gift of the Givers and Ford South Africa, two brands that together have already made a big and positive impact on the lives of many South Africans.

“This Blanket Drive kicked off with targeted assistance of the Touws River community, but we hope to raise enough funds to significantly boost Gift of the Givers’ efforts across our nation.Cars.co.zawill kickstart this project by donating all its 2020 Youtube advertising revenue and we call on all South Africans who are able to assist, to donate and help this project bring some warmth and comfort to those communities that have been left battered by not only the Covid pandemic and its repercussions, but also the chilly grip of winter.”

Ford has long been a supporterof the Gift of the Givers Foundation.

“We could see the tears of joyin their eyes as the bakkies were opened and bulk food and blankets were handed out,” says Ali Sablay of Gift of the Givers. “Cape Town is going through harsh weather and cold fronts and the people in Touws River were absolutely amazed that they were receiving a warm blanket from Ford South Africa and Cars.co.za. This is a day that they will never forget,” Sablay says.

“Initiatives like this epitomise the ‘Ford For South Africa’ campaign,” says Neale Hill, managing director of Ford South Africa. “It goes beyond just highlighting Ford’s corporate and product legacy and demonstrates our commitment to this wonderful and vibrant country, and our unwavering dedication to building a promising future for all South Africans,” Hill adds.

How can you assist?

Cars.co.za’s Hannes Oosthuizen helps to distribute blankets in Touws River.

The focus of this particular effort is to get blankets to those people who most urgently need them. To enable Gift of the Givers to acquire enough blankets, we request all donations to be deposited into the following bank account, with the reference being Cars.co.zaBlanket Drive. “Any donation, no matter how small, will help this project make a difference in someone’s life. To kickstart the fund, Cars.co.za will be donating all 2020 advertising revenue from its Youtube channel, which comes to just over R100 000,” says Oosthuizen.

Account Name:Gift of the Givers Foundation

Bank:Standard Bank

Account Number:052137228

Branch Code: 057 525

Branch:Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

About Gift of the Givers

The Gift of the Givers Foundation assists communities across South Africa, daily.

The Gift of the Givers Foundation is the largest disaster response, non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent. Assistance is provided unconditionally; to the needy, irrespective of human or animal, race, religion, colour, class, political affiliation or geographic location.

Since its inception in 1992, the organisation has been responsible for the delivery of life-saving goods and on-the-ground support for innumerable people, collectively valued at some R3.2 billion, in more than 43 countries across the globe.