Toy Story is a project driven by East Coast radio and the Gift Of the Givers. Each year in addition to the winter warmth campaign these two organisations combine to bring toys and food parcels to the needy communities of Kwa Zulu Natal.

Rotary has been chosen as the preferred service provider to ensure that the food parcels and toys reach those children most affected by Hiv and Aids.

Ably led by Past District Govenor Gerald Sieberhagen who acts as liason between ECR and the Gift of the Givers this project feeds many needy people.

At local level President Elect George Enslin of our club co ordinates the project, with help from the dedicated people listed below, who submit lists of applicants to PDG Gerald and once all the lists have been scrutinised food parcels are allocated and transported from Durban and distributed to the community.

Our club is fortunate to be associated with some tremendously caring people who work to uplift the community among them,
Wendy Longhurst who has been involved in community service for more than ten years, Linda Brand who has run the Thandokhule Creche since 1993.
Morgan Ncgungama an employee of the Hibiscus Coast Municipality who as part of his committment to combating crime and idleness in his community sponsored and manages a soccer team at Simunye.
Pastor Frank Cele who ministers to a community down at Trafalgar and works as an estate agent to support himself in his ministry. Lighthouse Ministries who with Joy Frey and Shannon Trollip from the South Coast Herald and Beulah Haasbroek who ministers to the needy folk living in caravans in caravan parks in Port Shepstone, Uvongo and Margate, all of them have put in time and effort into helping identify 300 plus applicants for aid.

On behalf of all the recipients of our community, our grateful thanks to all at East Coast Radio, Gift of the Givers, Past District Govenor Gerald and the field workers who make it possible to stretch out a helping hand to those in need.

Tuesday 6th November was a red letter day in the life of our club as the first 10000 !! Yes 10000 + kilograms of food arrived with Salim from the Gift of The Givers Foundation.

These food parcels destined for the Gambini area midway between Margate and Port Edward with distribution points at Thandokhule Creche and Simunye Sports fields had recipients waiting patiently for their parcels.

What a contrast to see the ladies dancing and ululating once they had received their parcels,
The food parcels were distributed to the last matching pair with each expectant beneficiary getting their parcel and nobody left disappointed and not one food parcel left over.
Wednesday the 5th of December saw good cheer and smiles come to the faces of the little ones at Port Shepstone and Murchison hospitals.

The reason for the smiles were Anusha, Naz and Lejeune from East Coast Radio and Rotarians Liz Hewitt from Port Shepstone Rotary Club, who with Peter Schamotta and George Enslin from Hibiscus Rotary, brought toys, hugs and smiles from the East Coast Radio Toy Story campaign.

The scenes were extremely heartwarming as the childrens faces lit up when the toys were brought to their beds.

Thanks to East Coast radio and especially to the three ladies mentioned above for their warmth and friendship to the little ones.