Woolworths and the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet community loyalty programme have made a R500 000 donation to the Gift of the Givers Foundation to support frontline medical workers through the provision of protective wear and equipment.

As one of the country’s primary disaster response charities, Gift of the Givers is a recognised partner in the South African government’s Covid-19 response.  The organisation has already set up numerous mobile Covid-19 testing sites in support of South Africa’s hospitals, and is raising urgent funds for medical equipment and protective gear.

 “To make a difference as our nation stands together to flatten the curve, we have teamed up with Gift of the Givers with whom we have had a long-standing partnership. Gift of the Givers has been at the forefront of disaster relief on our continent, caring for the most vulnerable.  We welcome their speedy, decisive efforts and are committed to helping them support our medical workers during this unprecedented crisis. It is critical to keep our medical workers safe as it is their expertise and hard work that saves lives,” says Zinzi Mgolodela, Woolworths Director of Corporate Affairs.

In addition, to establishing tent testing sites and ordering much-needed ventilators, Gift of the Givers is aiming to raise funds to also purchase and supply protective masks, Hazmat suits, gowns, gloves and goggles that are vital to protect nurses and doctors at the frontline of the pandemic.  Badr Kazi, Gift of the Givers Director, says, “As the crisis escalates, we, as a country, must do everything possible to protect our health workers who, every day, bravely and selflessly, put themselves in the firing line of this disease.  This donation will hugely help our fund raising efforts as well as create awareness that South Africans can help to make a difference, even under lockdown.”

The Gift of the Givers Foundation is a beneficiary of the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet loyalty programme so Woolies customers, who will be buying food over the 21-day lockdown and beyond, can nominate them as one of their beneficiaries as a meaningful way of making a contribution to the country’s fight against Covid-19.  Funds are raised via swiping the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card at participating retailers at no cost to the cardholders as the retailers make the contribution on their behalf.

Go online to www.myschool.co.za and either add the Gift of the Givers Foundation as a beneficiary or sign up on the MySchool App.