‘Tis the season for giving! We’re well aware that the price tags on some Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers can be downright scary. Yes, you love your family, but spending thousands of rands on gifts is pretty ridiculous – especially in an economic downturn!
So we’ve compiled a list of gifts under R500 to inspire your Festive Season gift shopping.
This year Christmas will unlikely be the same. The tills won’t be ringing with the same vigour because of business closures along with the worst unemployment rate and retail spend in years, according to economists, retail analysts and trade unions.
But who’s to say we can’t have ourselves a Merry Christmas after all?
Despite everything that has transpired this year and all the stress we have been put under as a nation and globally, the festive season is a time of year that everyone looks forward to – and now that it is finally here we should not squander it!
Make the most of this holiday season by trying out our list of things to make and do and places to visit to put a boost in your holiday cheer.
Whatever route you choose, as long as you’ve got the spirit of Christmas in your heart, you really can’t go wrong.
2016 has been a momentous year on several fronts for Woodstock Improvement District (WID). Projects that have been in process for 10 years have finally come to fruition, the WID team has worked more cohesively than ever before and we’re seeing positive change around every corner with new life coming into the suburb of Woodstock.
Come with us as we revisit some of our proudest moments of 2016. When we look at how far we’ve come, we gain courage to pursue greater excellence in the future – bring on 2017.
Never too old to party
WID, together with the South African Police Service, hosted a red carpet event for the elderly in Woodstock in early December. It’s our responsibility as a community to look out for each group of people that makes our society what it is – the elderly included. In speaking to some of the attendees, we were delighted to hear them say that they felt spoilt and special. It was an occasion to celebrate the wisdom of those who have gone before us and give them the respect and appreciation they deserve. There was even a Senior Citizen of the Year competition.
The wheels on the bike
At our heart is the desire to help wherever we can – sometimes in ways you don’t expect. Each person deserves kindness and it costs nothing to extend a helping hand. In October, a man by the name of Kumza arrived at our offices complaining that his bike had been taken apart. We phoned Nils Hansen at Woodstock Cycleworx and he was more than happy to help. He and his team pulled together and fixed Kumza’s bike ensuring that he could get home safely. This small act by a local business made the world of difference and we’ll continue to support people where we can in 2017.
The watchful Woodstock eye
The area of Woodstock faces, on a daily basis, issues including drinking and fighting in public, motor vehicle accidents, theft from motor vehicles, burglaries, robberies, damage to properties and fires in public spaces. The security team that governs the area consists of two vehicles, four foot patrollers and two law enforcement officers that cover the ground from Monday to Friday. In the evenings and at weekends there are also two vehicles to keep an eye on the area. It may sound like a small team, but they have handled more than 3 200 incidents in the 2015/16 period.
When you look at the reports, the figures and the numbers, I am sure you will agree that the WID hasn’t nearly finished making an impact yet. Coupled with your support and active co-operation, we will continue our duty and you will see the benefit of a safer community to work and live in.
The primary mandate of Woodstock Improvement District (WID) is to provide safety, security and cleaning services in the Woodstock area. A big part that is sometimes forgotten about is the impact of social upliftment in the community.
Abigail Abrahams, Woodstock’s own Mother Teresa and WID social manager, is the lady behind the many heart-warming things that happen to help those in need. It’s a tough job to keep track of who needs help, but Abi does this by walking the streets, connecting with people in the area and getting to know each family and individual in need – personally. She also gets assistance from the WID drivers who drive her to hot spots in the area. She is so well-known and revered in the community that some of the vagrants even pop in at the office if they need advice or help.
Poverty and homelessness are big issues in Woodstock, as it brings all sorts of destructive activities to the area and the streets. However, these people are also our eyes on the street and are often willing to help as soon as they see that someone cares for them and actually want to help.
Over the years, WID has formed relationships with a few organisations so that they know who to contact when help is needed. St. Anne’s and ACVV help with assistance for mothers and children, and if they don’t have the capacity to help, Social Services (for children), or shelters like the Haven Shelter (for adults) are contacted. The ultimate goal is to get every person in need placed in a home or shelter, as there are currently 65 homeless people in the area and this is still increasing. WID also assists with getting IDs, going to SASSA to apply for grants, gives counselling and advice, refers clients to drug rehabilitation centres, and assists with typing CVs so unemployed people can find work.
To get a better understanding of why there are so many homeless people, it is important to understand how they got there and what the reasons are. Many of these vagrants are rejected by their families or they’ve come out of prison and land up on the street. Prostitution is also a big issue among the women on the street, as many of them see this as a way to earn enough money to support their drug addiction.
WID currently works with SAPS and other organisations in the community on a holiday programme that will start on 12 December. This programme will focus on child development and keeping children off the streets during the festive season. Pamphlets will also be handed out to raise awareness for the ‘16 days of activism for no violence against women and children’ United Nations campaign that kicks off from 25 November till 10 December.
In 2017, WID will focus specifically on providing those in need with food hampers and clothing. “If we can make these people feel good and look good, they should have more confidence to go for interviews or to go back to their families at home,” says Abigail. To make a success of this initiative, the help of the community will be greatly appreciated and will make a big difference. To do your part and give back this festive season, please donate old clothes by taking them to WID offices at 41 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock. For any other donations, or to help with volunteer work or projects during the holiday period and next year, please send an email to abigail@wid.co.za or give us a call on 021 462 7321.
Lastly, to keep Woodstock safe for everyone is a public effort and we’d like to ask every business and resident in the community to help us by giving us a call or sending us an email if there is anything we should know about. Let’s make this festive season a safe and blessed one for everyone in the area.
