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- Lavender Hill was a hive of activity as more than 300 kids were gifted with Christmas Santa shoe boxes and lunches.
- The Michelle Davids Foundation said they received some donations and the rest of the expenses she and her husband covered.
- Festivities lasted for two days in the area that was patrolled by police and law enforcement.
It was a mouth-watering and teary-eyed experience for more than 300 Lavender Hill kids who were gifted Santa shoe boxes by the Michelle Davids Foundation this week.
The foundation visited the Military Heights informal settlement on Sunday and the Cape Flats on Friday.
Speaking to News24 on Sunday, Michelle Davids, founder of the organisation, said her "heart was overwhelmed", seeing the joy on the children's little faces when they received their gifts and foods.
"Many of them had such wide smiles on their faces… they were so excited to get gifts.
"Some of the kids were so tiny that the boxes outweighed them but that didn’t stop them carrying their gifts," she said.
The foundation, which launched months before the Covid-19 pandemic, started planning their festive drive for children in June.
"We reached out to lots of companies to see if they would be willing to help... and a handful of people donated.
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"My husband and I then covered the other expenses... because we wanted to fulfil our duty of serving the community," Davids said.
The foundation drew up a registration list to capture the needs and wants of each child.
“Some of the kids come from backgrounds where their parents can’t really afford to give them what we find 'normal' in our household."
Davids said while 350 kids, aged between one and 16, had registered for gifts, they were also able to offer presents to an additional 50 children.
The Santa shoe boxes contained items such as a new clothing item, stationery and a sweet treat.
"The Cape Flats doesn’t always have a nice image, but these kids need to know there is so much more to life than gangsterism and a life of crime," Davids added.
Police and law enforcement patrolled the area on Friday while the foundation distributed gifts.
"It warms my heart to know that these kids were able to feel the Christmas spirit of giving and that they know that they are loved and cared for."
On Saturday, the foundation also distributed a lunch of lamb curry, with fruit cocktail and custard for dessert.
David, who has been in the police force for 13 years, said it's a privilege to be able to serve her community in her spare time.
“We are so grateful that we were able to do this for another year. It's a wonderful moment to experience and to know it's being appreciated by the community is a bonus," Davids added.
