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Take Action! Inspire Change

Every year on 18 July — the day Nelson Mandela was born — the UN joins a call by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to devote 67 minutes of time to helping others as a way to mark Nelson Mandela International Day.

For 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.

How the Day came about

In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July "Nelson Mandela International Day" in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.

General Assembly resolution A/RES/64/13 recognizes Nelson Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity, in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations, the promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, as well as the upliftment of poor and underdeveloped communities. It acknowledges his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.

2017 Nelson Mandela International Day Volunteering Opportunities

This year, the South African Consulate General partnered with New York Cares for the following volunteering opportunities in New York City:

  • Assist the City Harvest Mobile Market - Bed-Stuy
    Wednesday, 19 July 2017, 8:45 a.m.

  • Sort Clothing with Housing Works - Queens
    Wednesday, 19 July 2017, 1:00 p.m.

  • Assist the City Harvest Mobile Market - Queens
    Thursday, 20 July 2017, 8:45 a.m.

  • Sort with GOOD+ Foundation - Manhattan
    Thursday, 20 July 2017, 3:00 p.m.

There are limited volunteer slots per event and RSVPs will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Register by emailing alo-villarealb@dirco.gov.za.

In addition to the above projects, a one-hour orientation will be held by NY Cares on Monday, 17 July 2017 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the South African Consulate General, 333 East 38th Street, New York, NY 10016. Photo ID is required to gain access to the building. After this orientation, you will be able to choose from thousands of volunteer projects through NY Cares that benefit children, adults, and the community.

Nelson Mandela International Day Volunteer Activity:
Sorted with GOOD+ Foundation

Thursday, 20 July 2017
Fashion District, Manhattan

Nelson Mandela International Day volunteers helped sort donations received by GOOD+ Foundation.

GOOD+ Foundation (formerly Baby Buggy) was founded in 2001 by Jessica Seinfeld shortly after the birth of her first child. 16 years later, the foundation has donated almost 35 million items to a national network of over 155 antipoverty programs.

 

Nelson Mandela International Day Volunteer Activity:
Assisted the City Harvest Mobile Market

Thursday, 20 July 2017
Queens, New York

Nelson Mandela International Day volunteers assisted at the City Harvest Mobile Market in Queens.

City Harvest operates in New York City through food rescue and distribution and education. Since 1982, City Harvest has rescued more than 500 million pounds of food. On average, City Harvest rescues some 150,000 pounds of food each day, with more than 50% of rescued food being fresh produce. City Harvest provides food to 500 community food programs throughout New York City.

 

Nelson Mandela International Day Volunteer Activity:
Sorted donated clothes at Housing Works

Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Queens, New York

Nelson Mandela International Day volunteers helped sort donations received by Housing Works.

Housing Works is a New York City based non-profit fighting the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness. In 1990, five members of the famous AIDS activist group ACT UP—Keith Cylar, Charles King, Gerri Wells, Eric Sawyer and Virginia Shubert—decided to dedicate themselves to serving one of New York City’s most neglected populations: the tens of thousands of homeless men, women, and children in New York City living with HIV and AIDS. The activists called their new group Housing Works because they believed that stable housing was the key to helping HIV-positive people live healthy and fulfilling lives and to prevent the further spread of the virus. The charity is well known for its operations, which have recently included outreach to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.

 

Nelson Mandela International Day Volunteer Activity:
Assisted the City Harvest Mobile Market

Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, New York

Nelson Mandela International Day volunteers assisted at the City Harvest Mobile Market in Brooklyn.

City Harvest operates in New York City through food rescue and distribution and education. Since 1982, City Harvest has rescued more than 500 million pounds of food. On average, City Harvest rescues some 150,000 pounds of food each day, with more than 50% of rescued food being fresh produce. City Harvest provides food to 500 community food programs throughout New York City.

 

New York Cares Volunteer Orientation

17 July 2017

 

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Rev: Thursday, 19 July, 2018