The Workspace CEO Colleen Mansour says, "Many people want to give to worthy causes and not just hand out cash — but don't have time to explore credible welfare organisations." 

"The Workspace has made giving easy. In the communities we operate, we've identified nearly 20 charities and asked them what they need that they can't afford," adds Mansour.
 
"Our staff and our members — business owners, entrepreneurs and freelancers who use our shared office spaces and services — have started to fill boxes with essential products and goods. But we want to scale up this effort to deepen our impact. We are calling on members of the public to help us pack 8 000 boxes by Friday, 6 December, when we will sort and deliver the boxes to the deserving charities," she says. 

"The Workspace business has been built around basic principles of co-working, collaboration, sharing and connecting. This year, we are taking this business ethos to a new level. The involvement of the public will be crucial to achieving our ambitious target," Mansour adds.

"They need us and now we need you," says Mansour. "Most of us enjoy the festive period relaxing with families and friends while enjoying good food. Sadly, for many people, it is a difficult time," she says.

"Too many people are destitute, sick, abused and deprived. The year-end is also a time when domestic animals are traumatised as they dart away from fireworks or are left abandoned by heartless owners," she says. "Every box [that] we receive counts. We've made it easy for members of the public to get involved."

"All they have to do is decide what charity they want to support, fill up a box or gift bag, label it with their name, contact number, a list of items in the box and their preferred charity. [They can then] drop it off at the closest The Workspace or XtraSpace Self Storage branch," concludes Mansour.

The initiative is being run in partnership with Kindness like Confetti, XtraSpace, SpaceBox and EcoBox. The charities being supported include:

Elderly
Abused Women and Woman Cancer
  • Frida Hartley Shelter for Abused and Abandoned Women and Children
  • The Oncology wards at Baragwanath (Breast Cancer ward)
Children
Animals
Items that the charities need include:

Elderly
  • chewable sweets and cookies
  • soap and facecloths
  • toothpaste and toothbrushes
  • magazines/books
  • spoils (eg. deodorant)
Animals
  • food
  • blankets
  • collars
  • toys
  • animal treats
  • dewormers
Children
  • toiletries
  • sweets
  • toys
  • stationery
  • blankets
  • bags (eg. sport bag/weekend bag)
Women
  • sanitary products
  • soap and facecloths
  • hairbrushes
  • lotion
  • sweets
  • spoils (eg. deodorant, nail polish)
The workspace and XtraSpace Self Storage branches where boxes should be dropped off include:



For more information, visit www.theworkspace.co.za. You can also follow The Workspace on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of The Workspace