‘SHINE’ ON THE RED CARPET
Excitement is growing at Sunfield Home in Howick as the residents plan for a glamorous night out in Howick next month.
They are among the guests who have been invited to Night to Shine, being hosted by the Howick Community Church from 5pm on Friday, February 10.
It is one of hundreds of churches around the world taking part in the special evening, organised by the Tim Tebow Foundation, which was founded in 2010 to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.
Night to Shine gives teenagers and adults living with special needs, to wear ball gowns and dapper suits, crowns and tiaras, and be treated to an unforgettable night of fashion and fun.
As part of the Midlands event, the Howick Community Church is planning to host an extra special welcome for all the attendees.
Jacci Peter, who is the driving
Work on repairing and resurfacing Dicks Street in Howick is expected to resume next week.
The multi-million rand rehabilitation of the street began in October last year and work was expected to be completed by the end of November 2022.
When the tar was removed, however, the road repair team discovered force behind Night to Shine, said residents are being asked to assemble on the field across the road from the church in Holmes Lane at 5pm.
At 5.10pm, everyone will be encouraged to join in the Jerusalema dance, before a welcome address and then a ‘red carpet’ experience where people can cheer on the Night to Shine kings and queens.
This first part of the evening will end at 6pm, after which the night belongs to the specially invited guests, who will dance the night away and enjoy a three-course meal.
Tania Darch, the deputy general manager of Sunfield, said the residents were buzzing with anticipation about Night to Shine.
“It’s a very formal event, which very few of them have ever been to. Most of our residents have never experienced a matric dance or prom,” she added.
“They are very excited about walking on the red carpet and to that too much red soil and clay were mixed in the base layer.
Experts told the municipality that more lime would need to be added to substrate to ensure its long-term stability.
“Whoever built the original road did not do a very good job on the base,” uMngeni Mayor, Councillor Chris Pappas, said. “We subsequently reallocated budget be able to spend an evening outside the home.”
To ensure that every Sunfield resident and other guests with special needs get to feel extra special, the Howick Community Church is appealing for local residents and businesses to get in touch if they would like to donate evening gowns and suits.
Darch added: “Most of our residents don’t own any formal wear, so we would be so grateful if the people of the Midlands would offer to lend or give us dresses and suits, or a discount to allow us to buy some.
“We would also love it if hairdressers and make-up experts would offer to help our residents look special on the night.”
If you would like to assist the Sunfield residents, please contact Tania Darch at 033 330 2094. Alternatively, you can email Jacci at jacci888@gmail.com or phone her 083 301 1838 if you would like to get involved. [R700 000] from other projects to complete Dicks Street.
“When we were ready to proceed, the rains became a problem. You cannot build a good quality base and then lay asphalt when it is wet or not thoroughly drained.”
The delay was further exacerbated by the annual builders’ and suppliers’ holiday, which meant uMngeni was unable to get the necessary materials.
uMngeni Municipality Speaker, Councillor Janis Holmes, who is also the ward councillor for the area, apologised to residents and businesses for the delay in the project.
"I'm sure once the road is done it will be something that all ward two residents will be proud of," she added.
If you’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions, there are many people less fortunate who could do with your help - and it turns out helping others is not only good for them, but good for you too.
67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day has the perfect way to give back and earn that warm and fuzzy feeling of giving. By crocheting or knitting squares or entire blankets, you will be directly helping people in KwaZulu-Natal who would otherwise be cold in winter.
“There’s nothing like the feeling that comes from helping someone in need. Giving of yourself, your time and your commitment gives you a unique kind of satisfaction,” said award-winning theatre personality, Caroline Smart, who has been an ambassador for 67 Blankets since its inception.
Over the past eight years, the organisation has made and donated thousands of blankets
As children around the country prepare to go back to school this week, please consider those children who are unable to return to school with the required list of stationery.
Many parents and caregivers are struggling to put food on the table, to orphans, street children, the elderly, the disabled and others in need, and the quest to warm the nation continues.
Smart is hoping that Knitwits in the Midlands will take up the challenge to “pick up a crochet hook or knitting needles, a ball of yarn, and get stuck into helping those in need.”
She added that many hundreds of blankets are needed for winter, so the time to start crocheting and knitting is now.
KZN volunteers have until the end of May 2023 to donate blankets, and April 30 to donate squares to be joined into blankets.
After being displayed, the blankets will be donated to various charities in KZN.
To find out more about how you can get involved with helping others through 67 Blankets, email info@67blankets.co.za or go to 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day (South Africa) on Facebook. let alone buy school supplied.
Funda Nenja is trying to collect as many stationery items as it can to assist some of the children as they return to school. The NPO’s social worker will be identifying needy children in the community. Residents can purchase items, including exercise books, pens, pencils, pencil crayons and rubbers, and drop them off at our various drop off at Village Talk’s offices in Howick, the Midlands Vet Hospital, Hilton Vet Hospital or Umgeni Vets.
Alternatively, they can make a cash donation, using STATIONERY as a reference, to Funda Nenja, FNB Howick, Account number – 62458766197.