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A different kind of “Take it off!”

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On 16 April, business will be taking something off for charity.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber invites businesses around the Bay to join its members and Top 40 Under 40 achievers in observing One Day Without Shoes and in collecting new kids and school shoes in support of children without shoes.

In 2012, the Chamber, its Top 40 Under 40 achievers and members collected over 900 pairs of shoes, which were handed over to the Metro’s Education task team. This year, the Chamber aims to match or better the number of shoes collected, and will be handing over the shoes directly to a number of beneficiaries.

This year’s beneficiaries include Stephen Mazungula and Charles Duna Primary Schools in New Brighton, via the Community Chest, the Protea Place of Safety and the EP Children’s Home.

One Day Without Shoes is an international initiative of the TOMS shoe company to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children without shoes. Barefoot children are at greater risk of injury and disease, and suffer from a lack of warmth.

The Chamber’s Top 40 Under 40 achievers took One Day Without Shoes a step further in 2012 by collecting shoes for needy kids, and hope to match – and even better – last year’s success.

“The companies that take part in this community initiative demonstrate the proactive and passionate side of business,” said Kevin Hustler, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.

“Together, the public and private sector can work to build sustainable communities.” Top 40 Under 40 convener, Nicole Klokow, agrees. “Young business is passionate about giving back to the city. Last year, the initiative was buoyed by a spirited response from business and the community, and we look to business to lead the charge.” The One Day Without Shoes initiative falls under the activities of the Top 40 Network, the structure put in place by the Chamber this year to support the Top 40 achievers in opportunities for networking, participation in issues-driven business forums, and community projects such as One Day Without Shoes.

“The Top 40 Network draws these dynamic young achievers into the activities of the Business Chamber,” says Klokow, “which enables them to make a positive contribution to the city, and gives the Chamber the benefit of their passion, experience and drive in realizing its goal of a competitive and sustainable city.”

Companies and individuals wanting to “take it off” follow these easy steps:

  1. Commit to observing One Day Without Shoes on 16 April 2013 in offices across Nelson Mandela Bay. Get your colleagues, employees, partners and suppliers on board.
  2. Collect as many new kids’ shoes as you can, in all styles and in a variety of sizes.
  3. Go barefoot on One Day Without Shoes! Have fun, and take photos, but think about the kids for whom this is a way of life.
  4. Deliver the shoes your company has collected to one of the collection points in Port Elizabeth.

The collection points are:

Interested companies are encouraged to contact the Business Chamber.

One Day Without Shoes
Business Chamber staff members Natalie Steyn and Neil Terblanche have joined in the challenge to local business to collect shoes for children in need.
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.