Nazareth Family Church of Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal recently hosted a very successful Kidz Winter Blanket Drive.
This was a much anticipated event – which was advertised on the community radio station and in the newspaper. All the children in the church were also requested to invite friends. As a result, 230 children attended the Kidz Winter Blanket Drive held over two days on the 12th and 13th of July 2012.
Pastor Paul and Lucy Pillay of Nazareth Family Church explain how during the church’s recent time of prayer and fasting, money had been raised by members of the congregation to purchase 200 blankets from turn the tide 4 children. Turn the tide 4 children doubled this number – bringing the total to 400 blankets!
The church was then able to distribute 250 of these blankets to needy children in the community during this Winter Blanket Drive. (150 blankets were also distributed to young people, who had been sponsored by the church to attend a youth camp.
A further 100 blankets were given to East Coast Radio for their winter blanket collection.)
Pastor Pillay reports: “Members of our congregation really got behind this – taking time off from work to be involved, and giving sacrificially. Thank you also to all the donors who were involved!”
Pastor Pillay also reminds of us of how Jesus was moved with compassion when he saw the need of the people – and how we need to take the initiative in meeting the needs of those around us! Jesus didn’t just cater for the spiritual needs of the people, but took care of their physical needs as well.
It was also encouraging to see the involvement of various key role players in the community during the Kidz Winter Blanket drive. The South African Police, Metro Police for Road Safety, Fire Department, Child Welfare and the Anti-Drug Forum were all part of the exciting programme – and taught the children about current social problems including crime, violence, child abuse, safety and drug abuse. The children were enthralled to see the SAP mounted division and a demonstration by the Fire Department.
The children were also provided with food during the two days of the programme – and enjoyed jumping castles, pony rides, arts and crafts, drama, face painting and a dance and praise-a-thon!
Well done Nazareth Family Church – what an inspiring example of meeting needs and uniting the various role players in the community in doing so!
(Nazareth Family Church also just hosted a Kidz At Heart Training event at the end of July – with the aim of equipping people to reach and teach children for Christ.
Click here for more information on turn the tide 4 children and our blankets4children project.
