Chronicle Editor
Midlands Bureau
GWERU City Council has set a US$50 000 target for this year’s Mayor’s Christmas cheer fund to buy food for at least 180 families and old people’s homes including payment of school fees for underprivileged children.
Gweru Mayor Councillor Martin Chivhoko said they are looking forward to giving grocery hampers to several organisations that take care of the underprivileged at children, old people and disability homes.
“This cheer fund is done to help the vulnerable members of the community. This year, we are targeting to raise goods worth US$50 000 and the proceeds of the donations are intended to help beneficiaries,” he said.
Clr Chivhoko appealed to the corporate world to donate to the cheer fund to enable vulnerable members of the community to enjoy Christmas.
“We also want to raise funds so that we pay school fees for the less privileged children from primary school up to university level. We will be able to continue paying fees for the children whom we have been assisting and hope that we will assist more,” he said.
“Besides school fees, we also intend to feed at least 180 families. We want this Christmas to be merry for them as well. We surely cannot enjoy Christmas when our neighbours have nothing to eat on that special.”
Fundraising committee chairperson Ms Prisca Chard said various fundraising activities such as a golf tournament and marathon had been lined up as part of fundraising activities.
The Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund, which is an annual event, was attended by several local companies and individuals.
Other targeted beneficiaries include the Jairos Jiri Narran Centre, and Mudavanhu Foster Home.
So far, the local authority has managed to raise over US$4 000, 1 000 kg of mealie -meal and 40 litres of cooking oil.
Online Reporter