The 2016 Twitter Blanket Drive supported for the second year by the Cape West Coast #TBD2016
What is the Twitter Blanket Drive?

Founded in 2010, the Twitter Blanket Drive started with a single tweet that read: ‘What if every single person on Twitter donated a blanket?’ Posted by Twitter Blanket Drive founder Melanie Minnaar, the tweet spawned a movement that has collected thousands of blankets over the course of seven years.

Today the Twitter Blanket Drive operates on all major social media platforms with tweets shared on Facebook and South Africa’s Instagram community. There is also a dedicated Twitter Blanket Drive page on Facebook and you’ll find them on Twitter at @TBDAfrica

This year’s drive has lofty ambitions and aims to collect at least 2500 blankets, up 900 from 2015. Organisers, however, are not too concerned about the numbers. “We’ll take anything we can get,” said TBD2016 national co-ordinator Merentia Van der Vent. “Even if 30 are collected, it means 30 people will benefit.”

Cape West Coast joins the 2016 Twitter Blanket Drive

For the second year running,  the Cape West Coast is also joining this good cause. “For us at West Coast Way, social responsibility is a serious business, tackled with passion,” says Carmen Lerm, Cape West Coast’s spokesperson for the Twitter Blanket Drive (TBD) and founder of West Coast Way – destination marketing brand for the Cape West Coast.

The #TBD2016 Cape West Coast team, supported by West Coast Way, encourages West Coast residents to donate a good-quality blanket to drop-off points at top Cape West Coast attractions and accommodation places, as well as Weslander Media’s office in Vredenburg.

Lerm says: “This year we are again supporting the Siyabonga Care Village just outside Vredenburg, which was founded in 2005 by Chrisna du Plessis. This not-for-profit organisation offers health and emotional care to the old, sick, disabled and mentally disabled individuals, including abandoned children and orphans in the West Coast. Chrisna and her team of full-time professionals and volunteers have made a huge impact on the communities they serve.”

Donate your blankets on or before the end of June at select drop-off points

Go dig in your cupboard for a blanket and drop it off at the following locations before the end of June. And to make it more fun, many of the drop-off points will be rewarding you:

!Khwa ttu on the R27: Pop in with your donation blankets at !Khwa ttu San Culture & Education Centre and receive a complimentary cup of coffee or tea! Find them on the R27 just after the Yzerfontein turn-off as you drive towards Cape Town. You can contact them on 022 492 2998.

Blue Bay Lodge in Saldanha Bay: Overlooking the beautiful Bay of Saldanha is Blue Bay Lodge. Enjoy a view with your complimentary cup of coffee when you make a donation of your blankets. Located on Henry Wicht Drive in Saldanha. Contact 022 714 1177.

Thali Thali Game Lodge on the R27: Find famous Thali Thali on the R27 just before the Langebaan turn-off. Arrive with your donation blankets and receive a warm West Coast welcome and a cup of coffee on the house! Contact 082 372 8637.

Darling Museum in Darling: Home to Darling’s Butter Museum and replicated home, business and industry establishments from earlier days, this is a worthwhile visit. Arrive with your donation blankets and explore the museum for FREE when handing in your blanket/s!. Find the museum on the corner of Pastorie and Hill Street. Their contact number is 022 492 3361.

Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort at Citrusdal: The gateway to the Cederberg offer you a cup of coffee/tea upon arrival in Kloof Restaurant when you bring your donation blankets to them! Head from Namibia, Northern Cape and Cape Town on the N7 or from the Saldanha Peninsula and arrive at their front door. Do you want to stay over? Contact: (Hotel Reservations) +27 (0)22 921 3574 (Chalet Reservations) +27 (0)11 267 8500 | [email protected] or [email protected] (Hotel) [email protected] (Chalets) | www.piekenierskloof.co.za

Desert Rose Farmstall in Koringberg: Looking for olive oil, flour, leather and glass art or a freshly baked bread, great coffee and ‘plattelandse’ (countryside) hospitality? Then head over to Desert Rose Farmstall right on the N7 at Koringberg. Walk in with your donation blankets and sit down for a gratis cup of coffee/tea! Open 7 days a week and their contact number is 082 884 8714.

Groote Post in Darling: Groote Post is a historic farm in the Groenekloof district of Darling – known for wildflowers, good food and wine. You can head over to them 7 days a week with blanket under arm – and enjoy a free wine tasting! Distance from Cape Town: 60km Open 7 days a week. 9:00 – 15:00  Contact: +27 (0)22 4922825 | www.grootepost.com

Darling Brew in Darling: The brand new and shiny tasting room and brewery of Darling Brew is also a blanket donation hot spot. You can pop in there to deliver your donation blankets. Sample their craft beer family by paying only R40 for 5 different flavours! Find the Darling Brew Tasteroom & Brewery at 48 Caledon Street, Darling and see the Brewery, enjoy the Restaurant, Tastings & Sales, open-air kids play area and MTB-friendly facilities. Open Tuesday 9:00 – 17:00, Wednesday to Friday 9:00 – 21:00; Saturday & Sunday 9:00 – 17:00. Contact: +27 (0)21 286 1099 | [email protected] | www.darlingbrew.co.za

The Lodge at Atlantic Beach in Melkbosstrand: The luxury lodge in the beautiful seaside village of Melkbosstrand has a soft spot for those in need and they are happy to accept your blanket donations – 7 days a week! Find them on the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate. Take a stroll to the Club House from here and relax with the beautiful Table Mountain facing you. Contact:+27 (0)21 553 4653 | [email protected] |  www.thelodgeAB.co.za

Follow the Twitter Blanket Drive on Twitter at @TBDAfrica and tweet to them using #TBD2016 or #twitterblanketdrive and show your support!

If you would like to become a drop-off point in the future, please contact [email protected]

West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature

West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.

Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way: Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve. For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777.  Follow us on  on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.

Take the road less travelled in the West Coast Way

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