OPERATION SNOWBALL 2007/8
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The Operation Snowball 2008 project has been running for twelve years now. It is also the 16th anniversary of the Michelle McLean Children Trust. The main purpose of the project is to collect blankets, tinned/dry food and winter clothing to be distributed among needy children during the winter months. The success of this project is entirely dependent on the generous contribution of the private sector, individuals, embassies and the business community at large.
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| Launching of Snowball 2008 |
Two of our strategic objectives are to uplift the needy children of Namibia by providing material and social assistance and to raise funds to finance projects like Operation Snowball 2008. The beneficiaries are crèches, hospitals, shelters, street children, orphans, places of safety. One of our core values is also our belief that donors are essential to the well-being of the Michelle McLean Children Trust.
Last year we were able to distribute blankets, beanies, tinned food and winter clothing to more than 60 beneficiaries. This was made possible by the assistance from more than 70 donors. Our target was to collect 2000 blankets, but we were able to raise 3400 blankets which were distributed.
Operation Snowball 2007 was extraordinary in that we were able to make use of our own radio advertisement for the campaign, which was done by Michelle McLean herself. This advertisement was sponsored by Pep Stores Namibia, who is also the main supplier of blankets. Furthermore, the tremendous exposure that Operation Snowball received through the printed media, especially Die Republikein, contributed greatly to the success of this much needed winter campaign. The running of the advertisement and pledges received were made possible by Namibia FM99.
What is also significant about last year was the fact that we were able to reach out to children in need in the remotest areas of our country. Last year we visited eight of the thirteen regions. We hope to visit the rest of the regions this year, especially those who were devastated by the floods.
The Michelle McLean Children Trust can proudly say that Operation Snowball 2007 project was a remarkable success. However, without the invaluable support of partners like you, this campaign would not have been nearly so successful. Indeed, such supportive efforts are truly inspirational and encourage us to gather new strength to pursue such a vital project in times when society fails to notice the needs of orphans and vulnerable children.
In the final, we, Michelle McLean, Chairperson, the Board of Trustees and the staff of the MMCT would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all our donors for the part they played in making Operation Snowball 2007 such an enormous success. |
