The angels helping where help is needed

The Angel Network in South Africa provides a platform for helping where help is needed. Its tagline reads, “We provide a portal to offer help wherever help is needed, by giving a hand UP, rather than a handout.”

Jo Bloch and Simone Joffe, both originally from South Africa, brought The Angel Network to Australia, and work with an incredible team of angels to provide relief and support to Australians and Africans in difficult situations.

Throughout the past 13 years, Bloch, Joffe and their team of volunteers have been helping with meals, clothes, furniture, and redistributing shoes, uniforms and medical equipment.

Recently, their WhatsApp group of local angels has been formalised into The Angel Network Australia (TANA) charity, partnering with their South African equivalent, meaning they can now offer tax deductible receipts for all donations made.

The voluntary, non-profit organisation is not affiliated to any one charity, but rather offers assistance to established welfare organisations or any other cause or individual in need.

Over the past two years as the world dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, TANA has relied on members to facilitate and mobilise acts of kindness, especially through the use of social media.

Organisations that have received support include the Reagan Milstein Foundation, sending sports goods to underprivileged communities, Carers of Africa, collaborating to send medical goods and equipment to Zambia and a local Sydney baby gemach, which provides baby goods and furniture to families who need assistance.

The network of charities and institutions has assisted TANA to support beneficiaries and vulnerable communities such as refugees, families needing food during COVID-19 lockdowns, women fleeing domestic violence situations, and the redistribution of second-hand medical equipment and furniture to local communities suffering from loss of entire homes during Australia’s bushfire seasons.

Specifically, to help underprivileged communities, TANA has created appeals, making it simple for people to help support disenfranchised homeless and starving people. For example, for $50, you can provide a winter comfort pack or for $100 you can help keep someone warm and fed.

According to the website, $25 will feed a South African family of six for one month.

Of course, you’re also welcome to donate any amount you wish, and there is also the option for gift certificates in lieu of gifts for birthdays, special occasions, end of year celebrations and Chanukah.

Importantly, 100 per cent of the donation goes directly to the beneficiaries.

Currently, TANA is collaborating with the Rotary Club on their initiative “No one should be cold at night”, Run for Good which establishes safe home environments for domestic violence victims, Afghan Children Appeal, local refugee systems group and The Angel Network South Africa with their “Adopt a Soup Kitchen” initiative.

As it says on the website, “What could be more significant than to pass on some of the resources we have been blessed with, to those who are struggling to survive?”

Visit theangelnetwork.org.au, or contact Simone on info@theangelnetwork.org.au or Jo on 0416 175 587

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