News

Support Twitter blanket drive to warm the needy

31 May, 2011

Winter has officially arrived in South Africa and although many of us have duvets, blankets and heaters to keep us warm as the temperature drops, many of our fellow citizens are not as fortunate.

The Blades Foundation – with which Etana has close ties through our involvement in rowing – will be participating in the Pretoria leg of the Twitter Blanket Drive (#TBD), a national initiative to rally support for those in need of blankets during winter.

The Blades Foundation will be hosting blanket donors as part of the drive this Saturday (4 June) in Kameeldrift, east of Pretoria, from 18h00. Members of the public are encouraged to make the trip to Kameeldrift to donate blankets, clothing or money for this comforting cause. All resources donated will be put to good use in helping the needy to combat the cold.

#TBD is the brainchild of regular tweeter @MelanieMinnaar who put ideas on collecting blankets to her fellow tweeps. Melanie is hoping that the entire South African Twitter community will get involved in the blanket initiative.

“Social media has become an integral part of our lives,” says @yvettemommsen, general manager of the Blades Foundation, who will be co-ordinating the Kameeldrift blanket drive. “Many use Twitter to put forward their views about situations; however in this case it is being used as an effective tool to help others. This illustrates how, when used in a meaningful manner, any form of social media can be effective.”

Etana-sponsored Ramon di Clemente and partner Shaun Keeling doing what they do best

A challenge has been issued to the country’s tweeps: Make a difference in someone’s life by donating a blanket, jersey or warm item that will help them get through winter. Tweet about your contribution and motivate fellow social media users to effect positive change by responding with a deed of their own.

The Blades Foundation has a close synergy with @EtanaInsurance as both organisations are involved with South African rowing champion Ramon di Clemente. Ramon is currently in preparation for the 2012 London Olympics in between handling administrative duties for the Blades Foundation and helping worthwhile causes. Etana is one of Ramon’s sponsors.