Network of angels truly makes a difference

SUZANNE BELLING

PHOTOGRAPH SUPPLIED

Pictured: Excited children, among them Aids orphans, hearing they were going to a sleep-out camp – many of them had never been away from home before. The Angel Network helped collect 60 bathing costumes, towels and sandals for each of the children, at the request of Orange Babies SA.

The Angel Network, though, is real, consisting of dedicated people who devote their time and effort to improving lives. It is a Facebook group started in November last year by Glynne Wolman of Johannesburg and already has more than 10 000 members.

It began with a plea for Santa shoeboxes filled with gifts for homeless children who never receive gifts. Within days, 65 boxes filled with sweets, toys and clothes were handed out. 

This was followed by 500 packs of toiletries distributed at the Johannesburg General Hospital and Edenvale Hospital to parents who often sit at their children’s bedsides for days on end. The Angels also packed some 100 gift bags for squatter children in Alexandra township.

A sponsorship enabled the fledgling organisation to provide toys for the children in state hospitals.

Instead of focusing on one cause, the Angel Network is not affiliated to any one charity, but offers help to established welfare organisations whenever and wherever it is needed.

It has been approached by many groups and had assisted 25 of them over the past six months. These range from Jewish bodies such as the Johannesburg Women’s Benevolent Society (JWBS) and DL Link, to the Nashua Children’s Charity Foundation, Orange Babies SA, Khayalethu in Port Elizabeth and Clara’s Village in Limpopo.

The Angels Network is in the process of registering as a non-profit organisation (NPO).

It has expanded its operations to Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and has started a Little Angel Network in Johannesburg to involve the youth and help them learn about the joy of giving.

Wolman believes The Angel Network is “truly making a difference in the lives of others by offering a hand up as opposed to giving a handout”.

The Cape Town-born Wolman grew up in Port Elizabeth, then studied social science at the University of Cape Town. She later studied hotel management.

She travelled widely, including living in Israel, before returning to South Africa, where she has worked in personnel recruitment for the past 16 years.

She moved to Johannesburg in 1990.

“I feel like I found my purpose. I am grateful that the things we are doing are changing people’s lives. One person can make a difference,” says Wolman.

Wolman works with a five other women on her committee, Lindi Katzoff, Hayley Glasser, Janine Waisbrod, Beverley Smith and Giselle Wynik

“We help across the board,” even though she told SA Jewish Report that they “had flak” from some Jews for not confining their work to the Jewish community.

She is active in the JWBS, having founded the Pivotal branch with Leigh Brouze.