The Valentine’s Day spirit was certainly in the air at Maponya Mall in Soweto this Sunday as the Nashua Children’s Charity Foundation (NCCF) along with the Matjele Community Project shopped up a storm.

Fifty children from the Matjele Community Project, along with representatives from NCCF and its partners, Jet stores and Nandos, made this day a success.  The children had great fun picking out outfits from the mall’s Jet store, and understanding that shopping works up an appetite, the group was also treated to a special lunch party at Nandos.

“Being able to pick out their own outfits is an extremely exciting experience for the children, as many of them have never had this opportunity before,” explains Helen Fraser, Director of the Nashua Children’s Charity Foundation. “This initiative and the many others that we partake in regularly are just part of our coordinated response to the needs of these communities and ensuring that these children feel cared for and loved.”

Assisting the children on their shopping spree were some of South Africa’s famous faces including former Miss South Africa and model, Cindy Nell-Roberts, heavyweight boxing champion, Flo Simba, South African Springbok, Butch James, and TV personality, Zizo Beda.

“We are grateful for the support we receive from our celebrity shopping assistants and the kids adore them too,” continues Fraser.

The Matjele Community Project, established in 2008, is an organisation that looks after 235 children; among them are orphans, vulnerable children and child headed households. These children receive lunch as well as food parcels for child headed households from the centre. In addition, counselling is also provided, as well as assistance with the application for birth certificates, identity documents, disability- and child support grants. The organisation also educates the local community about the dangers of contracting HIV/AIDS and TB, and creates awareness about children’s rights.

Throughout the year NCCF treats its 32 charities to a variety of activities including regular grocery and clothing shops, outings and treats, building projects (additions and alterations to existing homes), educational items as well as regular visits to the charities themselves.

These are just a few of the ways that Nashua Limited promotes social responsibility. The leading distributor of digital office automation equipment and document output solutions in Southern Africa has a long standing and cherished relationship with its adopted charities.

Fraser concludes that NCCF along with Nashua Limited understands the importance of integrated corporate social investment is.

“For us, it is never about the rand value associated with helping one of our charities but rather the difference we can make in the lives of these children by spending time with them and showing them the love, care and respect that they so richly deserve. The Nashua Children’s Charity Foundation is proud of our association with the Matjele Community Project and the important work it does in its local community. The support we provide them, together with our corporate partners and sponsors, demonstrates the importance of companies coming together to help uplift and sustain these communities for the betterment of children’s lives.”

For more information on the NCCF, please visit their website at www.nccf.co.za.