Spreading the festive joy

RE/MAX Foundation national Toy and Book collection gets underway 

Setting its place as an annual fixture on the RE/MAX calendar, the RE/MAX Foundation is once again running their National Toy and Book Collection from 1 December 2015 up until 30 January 2016.  With assistance from the public, the Foundation aims to build upon the success of the previous two years and spread the festive joy to even more under privileged children around the country. 

“It is often easy to take what we have for granted, however there are so many children around the country who will go without this Christmas. The festive season is an ideal time to reflect and give back to those in need. Through the RE/MAX Foundation, the Toy and Book collection aims to uplift underprivileged children in the community who may not have received anything this Christmas. As a brand we want to have a positive influence within the communities in which we operate and make a difference where is it needed. The goal of the RE/MAX Foundation is help those who are not always able to help themselves,” says Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa and director of the RE/MAX Foundation. 

As with last year, the campaign will be run over a two month period to ensure that as many children benefit from the initiative as possible. “When the campaign was initially launched it ran over the month of December, however in order to maximise the impact of the initiative the period was extended to 30 January.  The 30 January is also a special day for RE/MAX as it is our Founder’s Day - the day RE/MAX was founded in the US 42 years ago,” says Goslett. “Commemorating the special day, the donated toys and books will be handed over to the various charities, crèches and orphanages.”

He notes that while the Foundation is supported by the RE/MAX offices, agents, buyers, sellers and business associates, the success of an initiative such as this is largely based on the support of the people in the community who step up to help by providing donations. “The response and donations that were received from the public during the last two Toy and Book collections was absolutely amazing. We are hoping that we can continue the success of the previous campaigns and spread joy to far more children.”

According to Sandy Smith, RE/MAX Foundation Manager, all of the RE/MAX offices around the country are encouraged to participate in the drive and will act as drop off points for the public. “People will be able to take their donations to the RE/MAX office that is most convenient for them. To ensure that the local community benefits from the collections, each RE/MAX office  can nominate a charity, crèche or orphanage in their area of operation that will receive all the toys and books,” says Smith. “The idea behind this is so that those who choose to give will be supporting those in need within their local community and making a direct impact to those around them.  We want people to be able to support the communities they live in so that they can see the difference that their contribution has made.”

She notes that it is also about giving to something that you have a heart for and making the community a better place in which to live. Each community will know where help is needed and where their donations will make the largest impact. “A big part of the RE/MAX brand ethos is to have a positive impact on the communities in which we operate. The RE/MAX Foundation initiatives have given those within the brand a vehicle through which to do just that,” says Smith. 

The aim of the RE/MAX Foundation is to have an on-going impact on the lives of young people in particular, and empower them to be the best that they can be. Currently the foundation supports a number of national beneficiaries and over 100 local charities around South Africa through various corporate social investment initiatives. 

“The impact we make now will have a carry-over effect on generations to come. RE/MAX Foundation aims to give back to local communities and uplift the next South African generation,” Smith concludes. 

For more information regarding the RE/MAX Foundation visit www.remax.co.za/foundation or contact the foundation manager, Sandy Smith on 021 700 2000.