The South African Expats (Pennsylvania) and PA, NJ , DE, MD, one of the most active and philanthropic expat-groups in the country recently hosted another of their sensational braais under sunny skies at Ridley Creek Park in South Eastern Pennsylvania. On June 3, expats travelled from six states to enjoy a day of food, fun and friendship at the ‘Welcome to Summer Braai’. All South Africa’s favourite foods were lavishly displayed, the braais were sizzling, and the laughter was contagious. Organiser Joanne Davidoff Rabie said: “While we celebrate our lives in our adopted home, we honour our roots by raising money for charity in South Africa.” Their benefactor charity of choice, The Angel Wing Foundation from Durban, received R36 401.78 from the event. Small businesses like Heavenly SA, Hadedabox.com, Kim’s Kitchen (San Diego), 1800 biltong, On Demand Automotive and Naledi Fabrics, and other kind members, donated prizes for the raffles and silent auction. Guests were thrilled to receive full- sized samples of peri-peri sauce and perinaise generously donated by Nandos. The food, decor and prizes were all donated by the group members to keep costs low to make sure charities received a handsome amount.
The memory of a loved one leads to paying it forward
The Angel Wings Foundation was established three years ago in honour of Darren McGregor. Unbeknown to his family, a young Darren quietly dispensed kindness to many families in and around his neighbourhood in Sydenham, where there was a great need. This all at a time when he, himself, was gravely ill with a brain tumour. Soon after Darren passed away, his family heard from many people of his wonderful deeds; it was decided to continue his kind-hearted legacy, and Megan, Darren’s sister, started Angel Wings. Megan gave up a highly successful career in the corporate world, first to nurse her brother from home and then start The Angel Wings Foundation. What started out as a feeding scheme out of Durban West Baptist Church, reaching approximately 26 families in and around Sydenham, soon expanded in leaps and bounds. Initially, doing what they could, Angel Wings took care of all sectors within the community, from the aged to middle-aged and young families, to the many young people and children in need within the Sydenham community. In Durban alone, this stretched in every direction for approximately 50km. Angel Wings’ activities have expanded to the Valley of a Thousand Hills in the West, Verulam along the North Coast, Amanzimtoti on the South Coast, and a branch operating in Ennerdale in Gauteng. The Ennerdale Branch, to the South of Johannesburg, lies some 560km from the Foundation offices in Durban. The Angel Wings Foundation’s activities include providing food parcels, cooked meals, education, counselling, and farming a recently donated piece of land. They also aim to provide a primary healthcare clinic.
