Club works hard to bring holiday cheer
THE sweat of hard work, dedication and commitment paid off for the King Lions Club after a large number of children and adults were brought an abundance of joy, laughter and happiness during December.
The organisation held a braai for senior citizens in town, visited children in hospitals and orphanages and needy people, and handed out food parcels, toys and refreshments such as sweets and chocolates.
Lions Club secretary Susan Hagens said the Lions had a successful Christmas drive and were happy with the phenomenal support they had received.
“The overwhelming, kind and generous support by the King community during our fundraisers throughout the year contributed to the success of these drives in which we strive to see people, particularly children, happy before Christmas,” Hagens said.
“We had a Christmas braai for the old folks at Kings Park, BESL flats and Breidbach seniors on December 16, handed out 25 food parcels to families in surrounding areas such as Breidbach and surrounding farm dwellers, Acorn Valley and Siyathemba Village, as well as toys to children.”
On December 24 the Lions hosted a Santa service with member Brian von der Decken dressed up as Santa Claus during a visit to Grey Hospital and the King William’s Town Child and Youth Care Centre, where they handed out toys and sweets to kids.
Lions’ president Ulrich Hagens said the appreciation on the faces of the recipients served as motivation to the club members.
“Just to see the happy smiles and the appreciation on the faces of these people when you give them a gift encourages me to continue with the calling.”
The Go! & Express team joined the Lions during their visit to families in Breidbach and Siyathemba.
Breidbach resident Ronnie Weston was ecstatic when he received a food parcel and said it was all quite unexpected.
Border Empowerment Programme member Miemie Ruiters was handed 13 food parcels for distribution among the needy and praised the Lions for thinking about the poor.
“Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity as these parcels will definitely bring tears of joy to the recipients.”
Shaun Brecht in Breidbach was pleased as food parcels and sweets were handed out.
“I have no words to thank you for thinking about us, may the Lord continue to bless you for doing what He has ordained you to do,” Brecht said.
A disabled man, Patase Matyephu, who received a wheelchair and food parcel the previous year, was all smiles when the Lions unexpectedly visited him and handed over a food parcel.
“These people gave me back my mobility with this wheelchair, built me a pathway and handed me food last year and here they are again,” he said.
“They are strangers and not even my family, but look how they care for me. I will treasure them until I die.”
