Our 2013 Santa Stocking initiative was assisting Terri Taylor, (daughter of Jennifer Bassett in our BIB Commercial Team) with the Kilman Community Christmas. Terri put together the most wonderful community Christmas initiative with her house keeper Bongekile. The Kilman Community is in close proximity to Terri’s farm and very rural to say the least. Terri hosted a Christmas lunch for the residents in the community which houses 20 small homes, most of which are orphaned children being looked after by a sibling or Grandparent. BIB UNITE together with other sponsors allowed Terri to put together 50 gifts for the orphaned kids and a wonderful lunch for community members that needed to rewarded.
Terri did an amazing job and purchased, wrapped and labeled all 50 gifts and Jennifer and Lindsay Bassett joined the festivities and took photos of the day to keep us up to date on how we have made a difference this Christmas. A big thanks goes out to Terri for putting this Christmas party together with such enthusiasm and love.
Terri had this to say: “I feel that we have managed to buy some amazing and appropriate prezzies, which the kids will love. A big thank you to the following people who made this day possible:
- Lindsay and Jennifer Bassett –who took a small idea and managed to get so many involved and for being so involved themselves with transporting donated items, packing boxes, checking lists and helping on the day.
- Mike and Karen Smith (and their boys) for donating so many wonderful gifts. And to Karen, for organising beanies, t-shirts, hand towels, etc through ENGEN for the gift packs.
- Barker Insurance Brokers (especially the BIB UNITE team) for their generous donation towards gifts for all the children and for the water bottles for each gift pack.
- Justin Bode from ATMEI whose donation allowed the majority of the food parcels to be bought.
- Vicus Luyt and Lisa Lansdell from Gilbarco AFS for their donation of beanies that will be much appreciated by the children in the freezing Underberg winter.
- The de Wet family for their food parcel contribution
- The gift wrappers: Bongekile Mbatha, Terri Taylor, Jo-Lee Boyers, Alex Adams
- The food parcel packers: Bongekile Mabtha, Sebenzane Mbanjwa
- Venue preparation and lunch makers: Bongekile Mabtha, Mandisa Mbatha, Mtombi Chagwe, Busapwi Mbatha
- And the 52 children and their guardians whose gratitude with singing, dancing and smiles, was humbling
A massive BIB salute to Terri Taylor for running with this initiative. Your efforts touched many little hearts this Christmas!
To view the full gallery of the Kilman's party, from wrapping gifts, packing parcels, the party, opening presents, lunch and celebration after, click on the gallery below.