Christmas came early for a poor single mother’s Port Alfred family after kind-hearted police rolled up their sleeves and gave her tiny township matchbox home a mega makeover for free.The unemployed mother of seven young children, Dianne Arends, yesterday said she still could not believe that strangers had dug into their own pockets to help her.
“This is the best Christmas ever.”
After years of hardship, Arends’ luck changed when passing police patrols noticed her rundown Station Hill home and one day stopped to see if she needed help.
What started out as a police whip-around four months ago to try to get clothes for the family, soon turned into a community effort to get materials and appliances to give the house a real makeover.
Laying a garden path in the hot midday sun yesterday alongside other police volunteers – and even their own children – social crime prevention sergeant Sindy Pienaar said during regular patrols they noticed that the garden was overgrown and the house desperately needed paint.
“We identified that the family was in dire need of help and decided in August during women’s month to see what we could do.”
Working with the local policewomen’s network, colleagues cleaned out their cupboards and donated unused clothes for the family and even school shoes for Arends’ children.
“Everybody rallied together,” Pienaar explained. “When we came with the clothes, Dianne was speechless.”
During that visit, they got a closer glimpse of how hard life was for the family. “Eight windows were broken. They did not have much furniture or even beds to sleep on.”
Determined to help, the group raised thousands to buy materials, and also persuaded local businesses to donate goods to give the family a Christmas surprise they would never forget. Beds, appliances, linen, curtains, a two-plate stove and other household items were put into the newly renovated home.
A team of 10 police officers and some of their children arrived at the house on Monday and spent three days completely renovating it.
Policeman Charl Hurn said the team effort had been hugely rewarding despite the sunburn and sore backs of the last few days.
His 14-year-old daughter Logan said she enjoyed giving up some of her holiday and even some of her pocket money to work with Arends’ small children fixing up the house.
Police handyman Azekiwe Toto said he felt honoured to make a difference to the family.
Arends said she felt blessed, and was ready to pass on the feeling: all their old mattresses, cupboards and other items she no longer needed would go to people less fortunate.
Moresha Arends, aged 11, added: “I will never forget this Christmas.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Police play Santa to a single mom
The unemployed mother of seven young children, Dianne Arends, yesterday said she still could not believe that strangers had dug into their own pockets to help her.
“This is the best Christmas ever.”
After years of hardship, Arends’ luck changed when passing police patrols noticed her rundown Station Hill home and one day stopped to see if she needed help.
What started out as a police whip-around four months ago to try to get clothes for the family, soon turned into a community effort to get materials and appliances to give the house a real makeover.
Laying a garden path in the hot midday sun yesterday alongside other police volunteers – and even their own children – social crime prevention sergeant Sindy Pienaar said during regular patrols they noticed that the garden was overgrown and the house desperately needed paint.
“We identified that the family was in dire need of help and decided in August during women’s month to see what we could do.”
Working with the local policewomen’s network, colleagues cleaned out their cupboards and donated unused clothes for the family and even school shoes for Arends’ children.
“Everybody rallied together,” Pienaar explained. “When we came with the clothes, Dianne was speechless.”
During that visit, they got a closer glimpse of how hard life was for the family. “Eight windows were broken. They did not have much furniture or even beds to sleep on.”
Determined to help, the group raised thousands to buy materials, and also persuaded local businesses to donate goods to give the family a Christmas surprise they would never forget. Beds, appliances, linen, curtains, a two-plate stove and other household items were put into the newly renovated home.
A team of 10 police officers and some of their children arrived at the house on Monday and spent three days completely renovating it.
Policeman Charl Hurn said the team effort had been hugely rewarding despite the sunburn and sore backs of the last few days.
His 14-year-old daughter Logan said she enjoyed giving up some of her holiday and even some of her pocket money to work with Arends’ small children fixing up the house.
Police handyman Azekiwe Toto said he felt honoured to make a difference to the family.
Arends said she felt blessed, and was ready to pass on the feeling: all their old mattresses, cupboards and other items she no longer needed would go to people less fortunate.
Moresha Arends, aged 11, added: “I will never forget this Christmas.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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