Action unfolds
"This fun, 'giving back' event is an integral part of Ster-Kinekor's 'Vision Mission' project, its flagship corporate social investment programme that celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The project provides corrective eye care to disadvantaged learners, in partnership with various organisations including Brien Holden Vision Institute and the Department of Health," explains Geraldine Engelman, CSI Manager of Ster-Kinekor Theatres.
The action unfolds on Saturday morning at Ster-Kinekor's premier movie houses at Sandton City in Johannesburg, The Grove Mall in Pretoria East, Cavendish in Cape Town and Gateway in Durban. At each of these four cinemas, 67 children will be treated to a free screening of the popular Minions movie, as well as a drink and popcorn to enjoy inside the cinema.
"After the movie, all the children and their minders will receive a special meal-treat in the form of a burger and chips, kindly donated by Nando's at all four sites. And, on leaving the cinema, each child will also be given a blanket to keep warm in the coming cold winter weather. We are looking forward to seeing their reaction when they leave the cinema because, for many of these children, it will be their first movie experience of watching a film on the big screen!"
All the children, from around the catchment areas of the four cinemas, will be hosted by Ster-Kinekor staff on Mandela Day. At Gateway, the 67 children from St Monica's Children's Home at the Bluff, south of Durban, and Umlazi Place of Safety, part of the Integrated School Health Programme in KwaZulu-Natal, will not only enjoy the movie, but will also each receive a free pair of spectacles.
At Cavendish in Cape Town, youngsters from St. John the Baptist and St. Vincent De Paul in Atlantis will be hosted, while at Sandton, children from Remar South Africa (a homeless institution) and Sisters We Can (a life-skills support programme for homeless girl children), will enjoy the movie treat. The cinema at The Grove will entertain children from House Tekna, a place of safety in Bela Bela, and Jacaranda Children's Home.
"Our objective with 'Vision Mission' is to provide corrective eye care to disadvantaged learners and, for our young guests in Durban, Mandela Day offers the perfect opportunity to give them the gift of clear sight.
"Making a difference is what Mandela Day has come to represent for all South Africans, and we are thrilled to be able to host these children to a memorable cinematic experience. Being able to walk into a darkened cinema and watch in wonder as a fantastical story unfolds before your eyes, in a larger-than-life format on the big screen, is going to be a magical experience for all these children. We would like to thank all our partners in this project for coming to the party for Mandela Day," comments Engelman.
Ster-Kinekor customers can also make a difference on Mandela Day - and every day - to assist Vision Mission in achieving its objectives. When booking online or at one of the self-service terminals in the cinema foyer, opt-in to make a contribution - from an amount as small as R2.50 - to Vision Mission when prompted during the booking process.
"One click is all it takes to give someone less fortunate a clearer vision of their future - and every cent does make a real difference to someone's life," concludes Engelman.
