“And these are only 6% of the buckets we have packed,” commented a weary but well-satisfied Sandile Nkomonde, Operations Manager with the JT Ross Property Group, as he leant against the final 48 relief buckets of the 800 he and his fellow staff members have filled since September last year. “We are committed to a comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) strategy and we put a high value on fostering a positive impact on the communities where the JT Ross Charitable Trust operates.” He explained that the trust partnered with The Domino Foundation in this initiative because the NPO has a fine track record of caring for and healing society. “When JT Ross heard about the Relief Bucket initiative, we knew that this was definitely one which aligns with our aim to contribute positively to society.”
Cathy Whittle, who has oversight of Domino’s Disaster Response programme, added that J T Ross’ extremely generous donation is a major contribution to the programme’s readiness to meet contingencies: “KZN has had more than its fair share of major emergencies over the past few years and we need to be prepared for any further big emergencies. But, we also have to meet the needs of families and individuals in our communities who suddenly find themselves in dire need through no fault of their own.” Through several of its seven programmes, Domino is alerted to people experiencing hardship. “It may be the family of one of the children benefitting from our Early Childhood Programme or in our Life Skills classes, or we may hear of somebody’s distress through one of the groups who partner with us.”
The relief buckets contain non-perishables to see a family of four for a week: maize; oil; rice; beans and tinned foods. Domino adds hygiene products from another generous donor which manufactures and markets personal care products.
Cathy encouraged individuals and companies contact hello@domino.org.za for more information about its Pack a Relief Bucket initiative.
