Within just two weeks, VOC through the support of its listeners, managed to collect over 100 blankets for impoverished communities as part of the national Twitter Blanket Drive 2015. The charity outreach project drew to a close on Thursday night at the Fire & Ice Hotel. The campaign is aimed at collecting blankets from all over Cape Town and then distributing it to needy charities, NPO’s and NGOs in an attempt to ‘keep Cape Town warm’ every winter.

Event organiser, Merentia Van Der Vent has been instrumental in making this campaign a success both on the Twittersphere and also in real life. By having various volunteers and assigned drop-off zones, the campaign seems to grow each year as more and more organisations, institutions and even the public pitch in to help, not to mention the live entertainment like Jimmy Nevis and Acoustic Element getting involved.

“This is the first year that VOC participated in #TBD2015 and despite a late start, we were able to raise 116 blankets. With listeners coming from all areas of Cape Town to deliver the blankets to those in need, and some even making blankets by hand, the fact that we were able to raise this is testament to how our community comes together for a greater cause – even during winter,” said VOC’s coordinator Zahrah Isaacs.

VOC has nominated three Muslim charity organisations and the blankets will be delivered in the coming week. With 75% of the children orphaned, neglected, abused, abandoned or left destitute and limited resources, the blankets will be of a great help.

The radio station has thanked listeners who contributed towards the Twitter Blanket Drive initiative and all other organisations, institutions and people who made this a success. The bar is now set and we look forward to raising more blankets next year and doing our part as Muslims. After all, The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” – Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 604. VOC