Garden Route Disaster Relief Campaign’s growth to success
At 1 am on the 8th of June 2017, ex ShowMe Plett – Christy Strever was informed of a fire ravaging it’s way across Kranshoek and through Robberg, destroying homes in it’s wake.
Without a second thought she immediately emailed people who could possibly assist her with a Garden Route Disaster Relief Campaign – donations, food, clothes, bedding and all other necessities were needed. CemAir and Bid Air Cargo immediately jumped on board.
The following morning Christy sent out a post to the ‘I Love Fourways’ group and from there the post went viral in Johannesburg. After 420 shares and having CemAir on board – people realised they could assist, as their donations would be delivered directly to Plett and for free.
Pick ‘n Pay Epsom Downs and Pick n Pay Brentwood Park became the drop off zone and they received an influx of donations, arriving from all over Johannesburg and Pretoria. Even corporates jumped on board, including ShowMe Vaal owner, Louis Eksteen, who donated R2000 towards the campaign.
Christy was overjoyed by the response, “People have been mailing non stop, asking how they can help, what can they get? So if eye drops were needed a database was already available, whereby people could be contacted.”
Christy collaborated with Jean Bordeaux from Johannesburg, who coordinated the pickups and dropoffs between Johannesburg and the airport, as well as by road. They sent down 20 tons via road and assisted with the first donations sent via CemAir.
Samantha Schnetler assisted Christy by co-ordinating her database of donations coming in from Benoni and Pretoria. A great relief for Christy since the bulk of the donations were flowing in from Johannesburg. Burnshield were also a great relief to have on board with their donations and assistance.
Christy spent a major part of her time, with the assistance of Dawn Wing Couriers, delivering the donations from Fourways to the CemAir Warehouse, just off Atlas Road in the OR Thambo vicinity.
CemAir was more than happy with the donations streaming in and with the people dropping off throughout the crisis. They sent out 2 flights a day – at one stage the CEO sent a plane carrying just cargo, because the influx was so huge and he did so with a big smile on his face.
Once the cargo arrived at CemAir, Graham Theobald, the CEO of ShowMe Online Media and Russel Kretzmann from Keystone Projects, were present to co-ordinate the check ins and delivery of the donations to the Knysna, Checkers Centre and Plett, Market Square.
In Johannesburg, Bernadette Versveld with the help of friends and co-workers managed to donate R64 000, which they spent at Makro, specifically on toiletries, pet food and requests that were coming through. BidAir Cargo delivered the donations and Dawn Wing Couriers were there to collect. The donations were taken through to Market Square, where they were distributed to the fire victims and rescue staff.
As well, a good Samaritan donated his private jet for five trips from Johannesburg to Plett, delivering purely medical supplies, which is absolutely appreciated.
A big thank you goes out to everyone on the ground level – those in Johannesburg and in Knysna and Plett for the swift and efficient delivery of donations and your heartfelt generosities.
Garden Route Disaster Relief Gallery