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ISUZU EMBRACES NEW NORM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Date: 20 Jul 2020 |
Author Type: Press Release |
Author: Isuzu South Africa |
Source: Isuzu South Africa |
A fundamental concern for others in our
individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the
better place we so passionately dreamt of.
-Nelson Mandela
PORT ELIZABTH - In the spirit of ubuntu
and the legacy of one of the world’s most loved icons, Nelson Mandela, Isuzu
Motors South Africa (IMSA) is reaching out to the community through a drive-by
and drop-off initiative, delivering blankets, matrasses, masks, face shields
and sanitisers to various community organisations in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Faced with the novel coronavirus, the
needs in the community have changed over the past few months. One of IMSA’s
beneficiaries, the Missionvale Care Centre in Port Elizabeth, said it was a
priority to educate the community on safe practices such as social distancing,
sanitisation and wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Face masks
and shields have become a necessity and with a high unemployment rate in
Missionvale, many people cannot afford to buy these items. We are pleased
that Isuzu is supporting us with a donation of essential COVID-19 preventative
personal protective equipment,” said Linda Oudheusden, Marketing Manager at
Missionvale Care Centre.
The significant increase in COVID-19
infections in the city have placed immense pressure on the public hospitals, to
this end Isuzu has responded to the call for additional mattresses and blankets
at the Dora Nginza Hospital. The mattress and blanket project, which is driven
by the non-profit organisation Love Story supports patients at public
hospitals with overnight comfort while they await vacant beds.
Tracey Watson, the fundraiser at Love Story,
said the rising number of COVID-19 infections has placed a great demand on the
public hospitals. “The donation of blankets and mattresses will help us provide
comfort to patients who are waiting to be treated,” she said.
Furthermore, IMSA donated blankets to the
Srimad Sai Rajarajeshwari Trust in Johannesburg, an organisation that works
extensively in underprivileged communities.
IMSA Corporate Communications Manager,
Gishma Johnson said that Mandela Day usually provides an opportunity for
employees to get involved in community projects. “This year, we had to make
alternative arrangements to reach out to our communities. The drive by and
drop-off, which will involve some of our employees, is the new
norm and we appreciate the opportunity to be able to respond to the vital needs
of these organisations during these challenging times,” said Johnson.