A love-filled Valentine’s Day at Ron Smith Care Centre

For the residents of Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre, the rainy cool weather did nothing to dampen the spirit of warmth and love at the Valentine’s Tea organised for them on 14 February.  

The tea was held in the hall which was gaily decorated with strings of red and pink hearts and pots of heart-shaped flowers which were made by staff and residents in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. These beautiful, hand-made decorations did much to brighten up the atmosphere, on a day without sunshine.

The hall was packed out as some 100 residents and staff, many of whom were all decked out in their red or pink and white Valentine’s attire, enjoyed a sing-along of romantic tunes such as Love and Marriage – Frank Sinatra, When I Fall in Love – Nat King Cole, Can’t Take My Eyes off You – Frankie Valli, and Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley. The musical activity was organised by new volunteer Stephanie Enslin, who led the singing and played the ukulele.  After enjoying the music, the residents tucked into a lovely tea which included quiche, chocolate eclairs and milk tart. 

“The tea provided a wonderful opportunity for residents, staff and volunteers to chat and socialise, enjoy delicious snacks, and to remember the love that they have given and received in their lives” says Debbie Christen, Manager: Recreational Programmes.

Upon returning to their homes, the residents were in for another treat as the Activities Team presented each one with home-made chocolate hearts.   Miraculously, all 450 pieces of chocolate were made with patience, dedication and love by special carer, Christina van Rooyen, during a frustrating period of load-shedding!

 

Irene Watson.

Marianna Duvenage, Lettia Nyelele and Dolly Luke. 

Louise Newman and Helen Dix.

Betty Haughton. 

Stephanie Enslin (volunteer).

James Taylor. 

Margaret Richardson and Julia Mali. 

Joy Smith.

Kedibone Mlavu and Janice Costigan.

Marie Roberts.

Lorraine Lowdon. 

Josephine Kew.

Aileen Burns.

Grace Kona and Eddie Lazer.

Lorna Topp.

Megan Weeks. 

Colleen Blowe, Herb Scheiber and Sarah Richards. 

Vernon Schultz and Ron Adcock. 

Vera Geyser, Etienne Geyser and Beatrice Nzimande.

Noreen Ogilvie, Herb Scheiber and Helen Barlow Jones. 

Rosina Pretorius, Alice Molepo, Herb Scheiber and Halina Malujlo.

Dineo Tshukutshware and Gail Spinks.

Gordon Ross, Charlotte Tema and Victor Van Eck.

Peggy Roberts, Lettia Nyelele and Irene Nyadzane. 

Noreen Ogilvie and Merriam Netshifhefhe.

Maureen Gray and Salina Mtshali. 

Nolly Mlandu, Barbara Wapnick and Lefuno Nemutanzhela.

Christina Maluka, Clem Lilley, Joan Gilbert and Mildred Nyoni.

Victor van Eck and Busi Sishi.

Volunteer Helen Dix gives her love to Louise Newman.

Lee-ann Ramathibela and Hilda Mabaso. 

Jill Jones, Debbie Christen and Ethelwynne van Eck.