Thanks for the support

Keeping the spirit of Ramadan alive, big-hearted Bahrain residents have come together and donated generously for the Bahrain City Centre community campaign that concluded this week, writes Anasuya Kesavan.

The drive entitled, ‘Make a Difference this Ramadan’, which was supported by GulfWeekly, encouraged people to contribute used or new everyday items for a good cause.

Organisers had teamed up with the Awali Thrift Shop, one of the oldest charities in the kingdom run by volunteers for the last 43 years, to sell the items at reasonable prices and collect money that will be distributed to several local charities and the drought-affected people of Somalia.

Chairperson Fatima Abdulkarim said: “We are proud to be associated with the drive; it has exceeded our expectations. It will be a big support to our thrift shop and eventually to our charity organisation. We will be donating BD300 to the Somalia cause.”

The Awali Thrift shop volunteers are now in the process of sorting and pricing the collected items and organising a special sale.

The campaign that gathered momentum through the weeks has seen a steady flow of donations in the form of clothes, mobile phones, electronic items, books, sunglasses and other miscellaneous items.

The collections included 2,000 bags of clothing, 1,800 books, 140 sunglasses and 15 mobile phones. Encouraged by the response, Ray Scott, Bahrain City Centre’s general manager, said: “We are touched by the generosity of our customers and thank them for their enthusiastic support for this worthwhile campaign.

“The drive exceeded our expectations and we are very happy. The bar is now set high and next year we hope to get the support needed to set a new record. I am never surprised by the generosity of our community but really want to thank everyone for their overwhelming support.

“Even before next year’s campaign, due to the great response, Bahrain City Centre will investigate ways to continue working with the Awali Thrift Shop and possibly explore other avenues to collect items for the needy and to support both the people of our community and those in need overseas.

“I would like to personally thank GulfWeekly for its incredible support and coverage of this campaign. Their exposure and appeal to the people of Bahrain was a huge factor in this drive, and was a big reason for the success of the programme.”

Editor Stan Szecowka added: “I would like to thank our readers for their tremendous support to another of our community campaigns.”

Among the groups of donors who came forward from the beginning were the energetic members of City Walkers who put their best foot forward to kick-start the campaign. Among them was Jalal Al Shehabi, 40, from Shakura, who came with a big bag filled with clothes and sandals.

Full of admiration for the effort, fellow walker Flo Richardson, from Seef, added: “There are often things at home that are not used but you don’t really want to throw them away so a charity drive such as this is the ideal solution.”

Even a couple of the mall’s retail outlets did their bit to support the initiative. Their bags contained donations from staff as well as previous unsold stock. The Apparel Group contributions included bags and clothes from a number of their brands including Jeanswest, Charles & Keith, Nine West, Bench, Naturalizer and Kenneth Cole.

Staff from Debenhams, Adams, Wahooo! Waterpark Bahrain, Damas and Costa Coffee also came forward with donations from home. Shama Uchil, sales and marketing manager, Wahooo! Waterpark Bahrain said their staff were briefed and made aware of the true meaning of the campaign. She said: “We drove home the point that it isn’t how much you have but how much you are willing to share with others that matters during the Holy Month.
 
“Many of our staff members whole-heartedly contributed to this cause. We also decided to utilise products from our unclaimed ‘Lost Property’ section that we regularly donate to the poor and needy around Bahrain.

“Many of the unclaimed goods were in top condition and we were delighted to find several pairs of men’s and women’s clothing and sunglasses that served as perfect donation material.

“I believe our management and staff members felt a deep sense of happiness and satisfaction when we wheeled in our trolleys, full of giveaways and goodies, knowing that we had done our bit for those who need it the most.”