Campaigns

You are invited to join us for Mandela Day on 18 July Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. As Mandela Day approaches, a profound opportunity exists to make a difference. MES would like to invite you to come and spend your 67 minutes with us in honour of Mandela's 67 years of sacrifice to better the lives of others. Every minute counts, whether lending a helping hand at a local shelter, delivering donations, or engaging in meaningful conversations. Even the smallest gesture of kindness can significantly impact someone's life. We welcome anyone interested in getting involved and helping us serve our vulnerable inner-city communities. Our Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Cape Town, and Gqeberha branches will celebrate Mandela Day on 18 July 2024. Different activities will take place at our various branches. To find out more, book your slot, or explore ways to Change the heart of the city with MES during Mandela month, please contact us at: Johannesburg: suzan@mes.org.za Kempton Park: luwanda@mes.org.za Cape Town: cptfundraising@mes.org.za Gqeberha: ronny@mes.org.za Please note that donations may be dropped off at different locations between 08:00 – 16:00, Monday to Friday, from 15 to 19 July. To make alternative arrangements, please contact your nearest branch. Click here for more information and branch needs lists

WinterHope, 01 – 30 June 2024 – Extended until the end of July! Join us in our mission to spread hope and warmth this winter season. Your act of kindness could be the light that someone needs in these cold and dark times. What is the WinterHope initiative? WinterHope is a collective initiative that is a beacon of warmth and support dedicated to aiding our most vulnerable communities during the chilling winter months. Our mission revolves around gathering essential items such as warm clothing, blankets, and nourishing food supplies to instil HOPE in those who face challenges in caring for themselves and their loved ones during this season. WinterHope has evolved into a formidable partnership of compassion and generosity for over twenty years. Our collaborative efforts span the nation and are orchestrated by prominent organisations, including MES (serving Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Gqeberha, and Cape Town), PEN (based in Pretoria), Towers of Hope (operating in Bloemfontein), and His Hands (located in Durban). If our mission resonates with you, we invite you to join us in making a difference. Your support will empower us to continue spreading warmth and hope to those in need. Together, we can make a meaningful impact this winter season. CLICK HERE TO GET INVOLVED We appreciate everyone's support in 2023. Follow our WinterHope journey! Regular updates will be shared below. In the news! Sharing the WinterHope message with media. THIS INITIATIVE IS MANAGED BY: AND SUPPORTED BY:

Calling on all cyclists to activate your heart for change! Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg returns to Joburg’s streets on 17 November 2024. This day is a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to raise funds towards bursaries to cover tuition fees and study materials for our 14 MES Joshuas. MES invites you to support our team and raise funds for the MES Joshua Youth Servant Leadership programme. How you can get involved with MES and Virgin Active 947 Ride Joburg Dedicate your ride to MES when registering for the Ride for a Purpose initiative on the 947 Ride Joburg website. Our promo code is SEM-657. Click here to redeem our promo code. Raise R2500 for your entry fee and your MES shirt. Contribute or sponsor a MES Joshuas entry fee. Ride alongside and engage with our Joshua team on 17 November 2024. Join us at the MES water point on race day to motivate riders and celebrate the day in MES spirit! Interested to get involved? Contact Brigitte Potgieter at MES Johannesburg on 011 725 6531 or email her at engage@mes.org.za REDEEM THE PROMO CODE SEM-657 HERE Why support the MES "Ride for a Purpose" initiative? Funds raised will support the Joshuas with university registration, tuition fees, and study materials. You can request an 18A Tax Certificate for your generous donation. Your involvement will go a long way in enabling our Joshuas to continue supporting the youth and inner-city communities in Johannesburg. For further assistance on how you can raise funds or pledge your support for our Youth Servant Leaders, please contact us at 011 725 6531 or email brigitte@mes.org.za More about our Joshuas The MES Joshuas is a servant leadership gap-year programme for 14 selected matriculants with leadership potential. These youths play a vital role in the MES learners programmes, where they become mentors and tutors for the younger children in the After School Programmes (ASPs), in sports, arts, and the MES Dance 4 A Purpose projects. At the end of the leadership year, MES supports them in finding suitable training, study bursaries or employment. Most Joshuas remain MES supporters, and some have become strong champions for MES' work. Your donation and/or promotion of this MES flagship programme will empower these aspiring leaders to obtain the education they desire and make a lasting impact in their communities. Follow the Joshua's 947 Ride Joburg journey Regular updates will be shared in the gallery below.

MES and 18A Tax Benefit There is still time to make a meaningful impact and qualify for this year's tax assessment deduction! As a registered Public Benefit Organisation, MES can provide you with an 18A receipt or certificate. By partnering with us you will qualify for a tax deduction on your tax return for bona-fide donations in cash or in kind. If you have already made your contribution and haven't received your 18A receipt, please note we will distribute all 18A certificates in March after the end of the financial year. You can also liaise directly with your nearest branch. Johannesburg: Brigitte Potgieter – brigitte@mes.org.za Cape Town: Clarina Hanekom – prcapetown@mes.org.za Kempton Park: Luwanda Conco – luwanda@mes.org.za Gqeberha: Ronny Naude – ronny@mes.org.za Thank you for your loyal support and for Changing the Heart of the City! 18A tax benefits and B-BBEE partnership opportunities

Packaged Love 2023 It is almost Christmas, so the season of giving and caring is approaching. Every year we package our love and present these gifts on Christmas day to those near and dear to us. Packaged Love is an annual campaign that brings awareness on how to love our beneficiaries by making giving and serving opportunities available to the public. You can be part of MES's annual Packaged Love campaign! This year we are doing a national Packaged Love drive, consisting of items that all four branches need to start 2024 off with. We also have branch-specific serving and giving opportunities where individuals, church groups, and corporates can get involved at our Christmas events. CLICK HERE TO CHANGE A HEART IN YOUR CITY How to get involved We have Branch-specific serving and giving opportunities where individuals, church groups, and corporates can give back this Christmas. We have a list of shopping bag items available to make it fun and easy to add to your basket while you shop. Please see below for our national needs list for items to add to your shopping list. Add any of the following items to your shopping cart this Festive Season and donate to any of our four branches: Unwanted Christmas gifts Mi-Change voucher packs Jik Handy Andy Dishwashing soap Dishcloth Sponge scourers Washing powder Toilet paper Toothbrush Socks Body soap Roll on Vaseline Long life milk Coffee Sugar Cooking oil Biscuits Lolly pops Popcorn kernels Powdered drink sachets A4 paper A4 Plastic sleeves A4 Exercise books A4 Hardcover books Pritt Pens Permanent markers Prestik Johannesburg Needs List Kempton Park Needs List Gqebera Needs List Cape Town Needs List