The Wedding Expo®, the most trusted bridal show in South Africa launched its ten year anniversary by giving back to charity at the April exhibition.  This exciting initiative will continue for the September exhibition.

Tying in with the wedding anniversary tradition of tin symbolising a ten year union, The Wedding Expo® will mark its decade in the industry by donating tinned goods to two Non Profit Organisations – Mother of Peace Communities and Tshwane Place of Safety Association. Donations are vital to the functioning of these non-profit organisations, especially as the cold weather approaches and the rate of occupancy increases.

Mother of Peace Communities is a foster home in Northriding run by a group of volunteers who dedicate their lives to looking after 22 children who have survived extremely traumatic backgrounds. Mother of Peace Communities aims to provide a safe and structured family environment where children will be cared for, nurtured and loved. Tshwane Place of Safety Association focuses on fulfilling the needs of new-born babies and young children up to 6 years of age. The ‘parents’ who volunteer at the organisation are well trained in health and emotional security guidance and demonstrate immense love and patience when looking after the babies and toddlers in crisis (abandoned, abused, orphaned and often HIV-infected) in their care.

During the April exhibition, The Wedding Expo® bought a tin to represent each of the 300 exhibitors.  In addition to this contribution, the exhibitors were requested to bring at least one tin.  The Wedding Expo® then matched every tin bought. Approximately R25 000 rands worth of tinned good were bought and donated across the two charities.

For the September show taking place 10 – 11th we are wanting to encourage the public to get involved in our this initiative. The Wedding Expo® will match all public donations This drive is expected to accumulate a stock of food that will last until the end of the year.

The idea for the tin-collection crusade originated while The Wedding Expo®’s Managing Director Amanda Cunningham was trying to think of a special ritual to mark the expo’s ten year milestone. “The wedding industry is one of love, celebration and sharing special moments and I want to extend this love to reach people who may not be able to afford even basic necessities. It is important to bring attention and assistance to these people, and through a tinned food drive, we can achieve this goal. I feel this is the perfect way to commemorate our decade in the industry,” explains Cunningham.

All of the expo’s attendees are urged to get involved by dropping tins off in the collection bin located at the show’s entrance. Although the campaign’s main focus is on food-collection, especially milk powder and soya milk, all donations are welcome. If it can fit in a tin – crayons, clothes, or toys – then it will go to good use! Members of the public or retailers who are not attending the show but would still like to get involved in this project are welcome to contact The Wedding Expo® directly.