Hillside woman to celebrate birthday with event for foster kids
Sixty honorary guests, an undisclosed location and enough treats to please the masses — these three aspects will be among the hallmarks of Hillside resident Amber Blommetjie’s 30th birthday with a twist.
Instead of being the centre of the celebrations, the nonprofit company co-owner has decided to host a party for 60 foster children from the northern areas on Saturday.
Blommetjie said while she usually opted for a low-key birthday party with a few family members and friends, the idea to celebrate the milestone moment on a grand scale came to her in a dream.
“I thought for this chapter I would like to have an occasion, but it should be fulfilling and filled with love.
“I just knew I needed to have something but couldn’t decide what it would be until two weeks ago when I had a dream where I was having an occasion with so many children.
“Since this desire has been in my heart, the idea felt fulfilling and enough.
“I decided a week ago I would celebrate this chapter by having something for foster children and call it ‘a Chapter of Grace’.”
Blommetjie, the co-founder of Next Development Academy, said she was not collaborating with anyone as it was a personal event.
“I’ll take the budget I had for my birthday occasion with friends and use it to make this day possible for the kids.
“There are small businesses that offered to assist, and some friends offered to volunteer on the day.
“My aim for this is to create an opportunity to express an act of benevolence not just for me, but everyone out there.”
In the lead up to her birthday, she is running an #Adopt a teenager campaign challenging everyone to participate by donating toiletry items such as roll-on, spray and body lotion which will be donated to teenage foster children.
“I told my friends and family I don’t want any gifts, but they can donate one item, make up toiletry parcels consisting of all three or make a financial contribution towards this initiative.
“Good hygiene instils confidence in a youngster and toiletry items are an expensive necessity, hence this decision.”
Blommetjie said she was planning to have entertainment for the children in the form of jumping castles and face painting as well as other activities.
“I’ll have a few guests there, like Miss PE & Mr Prestige SA.
“The children will also get a snack and all sorts of cake treats.
“We will be on a secured property. This isn’t an event that’s open to the public.
“So many people offered on social media to volunteer, but I unfortunately had to decline their offers for the safety of the kids.
“I selected a few volunteers I have personal relationships with to assist.”