This month marks the start of the annual RE/MAX Foundation National Toy and Book collection, once again securing its place as a firm fixture on the brand’s calendar. The campaign will run from 1 December 2016 to 31 January 2017, in the hope of building on from the previous year’s success and spreading the festive joy to as many underprivileged children as possible.
Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa and director of the RE/MAX Foundation, says that every year countless numbers of children go without over the festive season, while so many of us take what we have for granted. “As the year comes to an end, it is a great time to reflect, be grateful and give back to those in need. Through the Toy and Book campaign, the RE/MAX Foundation aims to uplift the less fortunate children within the community who may otherwise not receive anything this Christmas. It is vital to us as a brand to have a positive impact in the areas in which we operate and make a difference where is it needed. The goal of the RE/MAX Foundation is helping those who are not always able to help themselves,” says Goslett.
He adds that when the initiative was first introduced it only ran over the month of December, however, due to the amazing response from the public and wanting to optimise the effectiveness of the campaign, it has now been extended to last for two months. “By running the campaign over a longer period it has enabled us to reach more children and maximise the impact the collection will have on the community. On 31 January all of the donations that have been collected over the two month period will be handed over to the various charities, crèches and orphanages,” says Goslett.
He notes that while the Foundation is supported by the RE/MAX offices, agents, buyers, sellers and business associates, the success the initiative is largely based on the support of the people in the community who step up to help by providing donations. “Without community involvement a campaign such as this would fall flat, however, over the past few years, the response from the public has been inspiring. We hope that we can continue the success of the previous campaigns and spread joy to far more children.”
RE/MAX Foundation Manager, Sandy Smith, says that all of the RE/MAX offices around the country are encouraged to participate in the drive and will act as drop-off points for the public. “We want it to be as convenient as possible for people to participate in the drive and help their community. Each RE/MAX office will nominate a charity, crèche or orphanage in their area of operation that will receive all the toys and books to ensure that local community it directly impacted,” says Smith. “We want people to be able to support the communities they live in so that they can see the difference that their contribution has made.”
She adds that those who live in a certain area will have firsthand knowledge of where help is needed and where the donations will have the greatest impact. “This campaign is about giving to something that you have a heart for and making the community a better place in which to live. A golden thread that runs through the RE/MAX brand ethos is to have a positive impact on the communities in which we operate. The RE/MAX Foundation initiatives have given those within the brand a vehicle through which to do just that,” says Smith.
The aim of the RE/MAX Foundation is to have an on-going impact on the lives of young people in particular, and empower them to be the best that they can be. Currently, the foundation supports a number of national beneficiaries and over 100 local charities around South Africa through various corporate social investment initiatives.
“What we do now will have a carry-over effect on generations to come - the RE/MAX Foundation wants to give back to local communities and uplift the next South African generation,” Smith concludes.
