LATEST SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS: Engen Santos Christmas Party  



ENGEN AND SANTOS BRINGS FESTIVE CHEER TO BURNS’ UNIT CHILDREN

 4 December 2007

 Laughter and giggles filled the rooms as Engen Santos players and management together with clowns and balloon sculptors entertained children at Engen’s Christmas party held at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital on Tuesday 4 December.

The Christmas party is an annual event and its sole objective is to bring joy and festive fun to the children in the Burns Unit of the Red Cross Cross Children’s Hospital.

Engen’s Corporate Sponsorship Manager, Brad Bergh kicked off formalities by handing over a mural to Red Cross Children’s Hospital Trust CEO, Nicky Bishop. The mural, with hand prints of the Engen Xtreme Racing drivers and members of the Engen Santos football team, signified Engen’s commitment to the Burns Unit of the Red Cross Children’s Hospital through its sport sponsorship platforms

As the largest distributor of paraffin to communities in South Africa, Engen has a strong interest in burns-accident prevention and in 2006 donated R 4 million towards the construction of a brand new Burns Operating Theatre.



Furthermore, Engen, together with Santos Football Club, has raised more than R 400 000 over the past 5 years through the ‘Goals for Charity’ campaign and has set a goal to raise R 1 million by the year 2010.

Engen Santos players Musa Otieno Ongao, Eleazar Rodgers, Wayne Arendse and Thembile Kanono spent the morning handing out soft toys and meal packs to all the children in the Burns Unit, while the members of the medical staff were also treated to gifts.

Overwhelmed by this special occasion and festivities, Engen Santos players commented:

 Musa Otieno Ongao: “For me as a parent it was good to celebrate Christmas with the kids, and I believe that Christmas is the time to give and enjoy with everyone around us. It was good to be part of the party.”

Eleazar Rodgers: “It was a good experience seeing how happy those children were when they received their gifts. And I feel honoured to be in the position that I am in; the position to be able to give to those who are less fortunate.”

Wayne Arendse: “I think it was a good idea from Engen Santos to give back to the children and we should keep on donation and scoring goals for charity.”

Thembile Kanono: “It was touching as I’m a very sensitive person but I was honoured as a parent to be part of the whole set up. Thanks to Engen and Santos for having allowed me to celebrate this special moment with those kids and I wish the team can do more.”

Photographer: Ron Gaunt