advertorial:

SKF employees show heart

07 May, 2008

JOHANNESBURG. SKF South Africa, proud sponsors of the Legae Day Care Centre in Daveyton and the St Francis Nursery School in Boksburg, recently formed the "Have a Heart" programme to encourage SKF employees to get personally involved in the company's social responsibility endeavours. The SKF employees did not disappoint.

The first "Have a Heart" Challenge was to take 42 children from Legae, aged between three and six, on a boat excursion at the East Rand Speed Boat Club, Rynfield Dam, Benoni. Various Departments at SKF accepted the challenge and raised money to pay for items such as the sweets, chips, cool drinks, boerewors rolls, fuel for the boats, etc. One department even raised enough money to give each child a towel that they got to keep. SKF sponsored the children's transport to the club.

The "boat day" was held on the 16th of April and SKF employees were on hand to entertain the Legae children. Volunteers from the Camping and Boating Shop as well as the North East Rand Water Wing were also on hand to assist. It turned out to be a true summer's day, with warm weather and lots of sun, all adding to the fun. On arrival, the events of the day were explained to the little ones and each child had to put on a life jacket. Groups of between 8 and 10 were then placed into the two available boats and trips were made around the dam while teachers and SKF volunteers ensured the safety of the children on the boats at all times.

The children that were waiting their turn enjoyed a wonderful lucky packet filled with sweets, chips and a mask that proved to be a true hit with the kids.

After all groups had gone around the dam a few times, it was time for the tubes and wake snakes to come out. Surprisingly enough a number of the children were game to go on these as well and a lot of fun was had taking them around the dam.

At 12h00 everyone had a good rest under the trees enjoying a delicious boerewors roll lunch. Thereafter a few more trips were enjoyed on the tubes and then it was time for the "entertainment" - a wake-board show. The children sat enthralled watching the dare-devil tricks of the wake-boarder and showed their enthusiasm with great applause. They also showed their appreciation for the day by singing a few songs to the volunteers.

The day came to an end at 14h00 and it was great to see the Legae children leave with big smiles on their faces and towels under their arms - a good reminder of the day.

SKF South Africa feels strongly about social development and sustainability in our communities and will, with the ‘Have a Heart' programme, the company continues to encourage its employees to get involved in these types of endeavours.