The Spirit of giving...

With the festive season approaching and the office parties flying thick and fast, we at Universal McCann would like to invite you to consider the following:

Many companies have issued directives and instructions that functions occurring at this time of year be referred to as "End of Year Functions" as opposed to "Christmas Parties". This is of course perfectly acceptable and it is in keeping with our cultural and spiritual diversity.

The caveat to this is that it becomes all too easy to marginalise a common thread that runs through all our cultures and spiritual leanings:

"Goodwill to others"

South Africa abounds with those less fortunate than ourselves. Poverty is rife, AIDS is becoming a pandemic of biblical proportions, and illness strikes irrespective of race, religion, gender or station.

It is with this in mind that we have unanimously decided to forgo our traditional UM "End of Year" gathering and channel the apportioned budget to something far more meaningful.

Innitiated by Nazeer Suliman and in conjunction with KFM we are helping a gravely ill young girl; her name is Wanita. Wanita is 13 years old and suffers from Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD). By all accounts this is a truly horrible disease which slowly destroys the white matter of the brain and myelin cells in the body.

Wanita becomes tired very easily and even simple things like eating with a knife and fork or brushing her hair are serious challenges that are often too much for her.
All Wanita has ever wanted is a Television in her room for when she gets too tired.

We have granted Wanita's wish and provided her with a Television, a DVD player, and a DVD library. Our hopes and prayers are also with her and her family that she might overcome this awful affliction.

We are also going on a mission to buy toys for the children of Saint Mary's Children's Hospital.

We challenge all of to look to others less fortunate, to find a noble cause and to champion it. Join us in not merely thinking about those less fortunate than ourselves, but actually stepping up and doing something about it.

Spread the word within your department and tell your clients!! We look forward to hearing about what you are going to do for those in need.

Together we can make a difference this Festive Season.