Oldies Heart to Heart Bags – Woman Of Worth by Mands

Jesus taught: “I was sick, and ye visited me.”
~ Matthew 25:36

Legacy of Love and Kindness ~ Part 3

The date is set for next Saturday, 16th December 2017, to visit *The Oldies* at 50 Burne Road, Athlone Park, Amazimtoti ~ The Elders Voice KZN.

I’m so grateful for so much generosity from so many. We have 10 Heart to Heart Bags filled to the brim, and volunteers preparing lunch to take and serve. *Smile*

Thank-you so much for your generosity and kindness… after three months of organising, I’m excited to go with Dave and Jess to visit and handover the Heart to Heart Bags. 🙂

Contents of the Heart to Heart Bags for the Ladies… Pyjamas & Slippers, Towel, Brushes, Toothpaste & Toothbrush, Shampoo & Conditioner, Body Lotion, Bubble Bath, Deodorant, Lady razor, Soap & Soap dish, Gingerbread Biscuits, Chocolate, Adult Colouring Pages, Pencils, Succulent Plant, Letter & Christmas Card.

Contents of the Heart to Heart Bags for the Gents… Pyjamas & Slippers, Towel, Brush & Comb, Toothpaste & Toothbrush, Shampoo & Conditioner, Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Deodorant, Razor, Soap & Soap dish, Gingerbread Biscuits, Chocolate, Playing Cards, Succulent Plant, Letter & Christmas Card.

Plus Bags of Groceries with Ensure and Sunblock. 🙂

I love the Heart to Heart Bags so much, probably because I would love receiving one… and I really enjoying giving them. 🙂

Saturday, 16th December 2017
Heart to Heart Bags and Lunch with the Oldies

I believe in the goodness of humanity… and in the kindness and generosity of the South African people.

I believe we are all, mostly doing the best we can, and even trying to do better and be better.

I believe we are all loved by a kind and benevolent Heavenly Father, who loves us beyond our human understanding and showers us with blessings and miracles, usually without us even realising it.

I believe that when someone finds themself in an undesirable situation of circumstances, due to unemployment, financial loss, the hazards of nature, and especially by accident or illness… it’s not just their experience to endure and lesson to learn… it’s ours too.

Everyone who is able to love and support… encourage and provide sustenance and assistance…. visit and bring cheerful conversation and fan the flame of faith, hope and joyful celebration during this season of Christmas time, when we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave us the greatest gift of all, salvation. And through the year… even when it’s not convenient.

It was with great anticipation and a mixture of excitement and humble appreciation that we went to visit the residents of 50 Burne Road, Athlone Park of The Elders Voice KZN.

Our car was packed to overflowing, and Jess had to squeeze into the back seat between our Heart to Heart Bags, Christmas tree and Decorations and absolutely delicious lunch.

We were greeted cheerfully by Johnny’s radiant happy smile, and invited in by Sharon and her husband who are the onsite carers of these wonderful folks.

Despite being in a wheelchair, and being deaf, Tony was in the kitchen making Tomato Jam. (I have 13 jars at R15.00 each if anyone would like. 😍) …and a promise to find and bring as many pineapples as I can for Tony to make his next batch of Pineapple something. 😁

When we handed Elize and her husband Matthew their bags… Elize, was so excited and humbled to tears by receiving new pyjamas and slippers, she gave me the biggest hug and couldn’t stop thanking me for their bag of toiletries and treats… explaining that they had worked hard all their lives, lived responsibly and humbly within their means… and had been wiped out by a flood, when they were retired and now too old to find employment and even invalided to start again.

Max was a Kwa-Zulu Natal Nature Conservationist patrolling some of our most loved shores, and is still an avid nature lover and adventurer… and finds himself needing to heal after a freak accident with a very heavy gate. Despite some obvious physical challenges and a future 2018 of more operations and medical treatment, his bubbly charming personality, and infectious grin are irresistible and I found myself lost in fascinated conversation about our mutual favourite places in Africa.

Betty, Johnny’s wife is certainly no wallflower, although has a quiet nurturing nature that softens the lines of ageing on her face, that simply lit up as she peaked inside her bag and was so hugely grateful… for shampoo & conditioner… and a new brush and comb and simple everyday items that so many of us take for granted.

Leon, who is also in a wheelchair… wanted to know who Karen was, and kept asking for Karen… to thank her for the warm, funny, entertaining wonderful letter she had written to him, with a photo of her clever puppy. 😃

I will always remember the look of wonder on his face at receiving and reading a letter addressed to himself personally – “Dear Leon” …and the delight it brought.

It was then that some of the others… Thuysie, Rosie, Moira, and I believe Matthew, started looking in their bags for the white envelopes with their names and a personally written letter and Christmas card.

Thank-you Audrey, Jenny and Karen for writing personal letters to each of our Heart to Heart Oldies… by the wonder on their faces and glistening of their eyes, you certainly touched their hearts with your words. 😍

Lunch was served and thoroughly enjoyed, with lots of vocal gratitude being voiced. Thank-you Sam for the Chicken Butternut Pasta, Sherryll for Biryani and dessert, Jess for savoury rice and especially for each of your time and love preparing and providing.

I almost forgot to give the cutest tiniest succulents… however each was graciously received with thanks and promises to nurture and care for their tiny plants… thank-you Sharmaine for our green gifts.

Thanks to all for our Heart to Heart Bags which were provided and filled by Teresa & Heinrich and Sherryll.

Our car was absolutely full, and we have more to unpack and sort and take, and will be returning to The Oldies at 50 Burne Road, in the New Year with more basics and essentials… so please let me know if you would like to contribute, or join us for our next visit. One can of food or grocery item, a piece of clothing or toiletry from each of us combined can make a substantial difference.

Last, however certainly not least… a big thank-you to Joanne ~ The Elders Voice KZN, for this incredible project and organising and providing a safe haven, (well equipped, furnished and stocked) for deserving folks… and to ALL those that support and help, you truly have made a difference to wonderful, warm humble people.

Saturday, 17th February 2017

Our next date to visit the Oldies at 50 Burne Road, Athlone Park ~ The Elders Voice KZN is Saturday, 17th February 2017. If you would like to contribute or join us, please just let me know. Thanks.

Although it took some gentle coaxing we finally had some special requests if you can help please.

Books: non-fiction, Westerns especially Louis Lamour, Danielle Steele, National Geographic and nature books.
Pineapples. 😄
Knitting needles, crochet hooks and wool.
Puzzles.
Writing paper & envelopes – pens
Groceries and toiletries.

For financial donations please go directly to The Elders Voice KZN for bank account details.

Thank-you so much,
With love, appreciation, and gratitude
Mands

#BeWow
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