1st January 2021 dawned and everyone sighed a huge sigh of relief that 2020 was finally over. However, due to those who had not remained Covid compliant, we soon found ourselves back in lockdown. This meant schools were delayed in reopening. We were off to a rather slow start to the year.
At Red Bagels we were not going to allow this setback stop us from spreading as much happiness as possible to as many people as possible. In fact, it is when times are most difficult that any extra acts of kindness greatly enhance the happiness for others. It is in this spirit we started our new year.
Our first project of the year was a really awesome way to kick start a new year. We were once again approached to assist the KWD fund to gift a new, very desperately needed truck (bakkie) to Yad Aharon. This was an addition to supporting the fundraising initiative for the continuation of the “money for food parcels” project, which we were also privileged to support at its inception last year in 2020. We are ecstatic to announce that with extreme gratitude to everyone and the exceptional generosity of our own Red Bagels donor, Alan Levy, we were able to assist them in turning their big dream into a reality. We look forward to keeping you updated on this project soon.
Very sadly during this month, we heard about a horrific fire in the Booysens informal settlement in Johannesburg where 500 shacks were ravaged by this inferno. The thought of people leaving their homes in the morning and returning at night to find nothing of their worldly belongings left was unbearable. Therefore when we received the request for help through our partnership with Angel Network, we responded immediately with a donation to assist with requirements for the immediate necessities of the affected families.
We then also heard of a fantastic initiative: a mini fire extinguisher that is designed to save lives by preventing shack fires that rage through local communities in South Africa. The product can be used safely and easily by anyone including small children. It has been tested by FireLab, which is part of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. The fire extinguisher is produced in a small factory that employs people with disabilities. This makes it an even more appealing project for us to support. Needless to say, we could not walk away from the opportunity to assist with a donation to this vital project. It is our hope that this small piece of equipment will become a basic piece of safety equipment in every shack. This would ensure that everyone living in informal settlements can feel safer knowing that they have some form of defense against such tragedies recurring. The happiness of having this sort of peace of mind is unmeasurable. Therefore we contributed 180 extinguishers for distribution to a rural community where they will be handed out. Such equipment is their first response in the event of a fire. In this way the residents can possibly becoming heroes with the ability to save their or other’s life or possessions.
The year may have started slowly. However Red Bagels would like to keep on spreading the kindness and happiness that we have started off the year with.
Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.
Smile and enjoy the fact that you have had the “awesome” ability to make a difference in someone’s life today!
Spread lots of peace, love, and happiness.
Enjoy bringing love and kindness into the world.
Powered by love and committed to kindness.