The start of December marks the beginning of the annual RE/MAX Foundation National Toy and Book collection, an initiative aimed at bringing joy to the less fortunate this festive season. Starting from 1 December 2017, the campaign will run until the end of January to ensure that enough time is given to collect as many toys and books as possible.
RE/MAX Foundation director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett, says that millions of children from underprivileged backgrounds will go without during the holiday period, while so many of us will take what we have for granted. “While the gift of a toy or book is only a small gesture, it is a way that we can show we care about those around us. The Christmas period is a time for reflection, appreciation of what we have and an opportunity to make a difference by giving back. The Toy and Book campaign is a great platform for the community to spread the festive joy and uplift less fortunate children who may otherwise not receive anything this Christmas,” he says.
In the past, the campaign was only for December, however, over the last few years, the drive has been extended over a two month period to optimise the effectiveness of the campaign and number of children that will receive a gift. “On 31 January all of the donations that have been collected over the two months will be handed over to the various charities, crèches, and orphanages,” says Goslett.
He notes that while the Foundation is supported by the RE/MAX offices, agents, buyers, sellers and business associates, the success the initiative is largely based on the support of the people in the community who step up to help by providing donations. “Community involvement is the backbone of this campaign - without it, a campaign such as this would fall flat. Since its inception, the response from the public has been inspiring. We hope that we can continue the success of the previous campaigns and spread joy to far more children.”
RE/MAX Foundation Manager, Sandy Smith, says that RE/MAX offices around the country will act as drop-off points to make donating as easy as possible. “We wanted to make the donation process as convenient as possible to encourage the local community to get involved with the campaign. Each RE/MAX office will nominate a charity, crèche or orphanage in their area of operation that will receive all the toys and books to ensure that local community is directly impacted. We want people to be able to support the communities they live in so that they can see the difference that their contribution has made.”
She adds that: “We have left it up to each office to decide which organisation the donations go to because they know their local area and will know where the donations are needed most and will make the biggest impact. The campaign is about giving to something that you have a heart for and making the community a better place in which to live. As a brand, we want to have a positive impact on the communities in which we operate. The RE/MAX Foundation initiatives have given those within the brand a vehicle through which to do just that.”
