#TBD2017

Back in the day when Twitter was still fun and not filled with fake news, fake agenda's and well, fake people, a few good Tweeps decided to do something a lot more with the social platform and not just use it as a place for following celebs and keeping up to date with the trends. They made the social network, work for them by networking with others for a common cause, to donate blankets to the needy over the winter season and all it took was a single tweet in 2010, since then Twitter Blanket Drive has grown in leaps and bounds with more partnerships and more donations over the years. This year see's it running for the 7th year and partners up with #DignityDrive, which is an initiative launched local TV personality Siv Ngesi. 

Last year, in celebration of his 31st birthday, Siv opted out of a birthday bash and instead challenged South Africans to donate much needed sanitary products for girls who cannot afford them. "If men bled once a month, there would be free pads available, like condoms! I will not rest until this is a reality" says Ngesi. So in conjunction with collecting new or used blankets for the less fortunate, this year the Twitter Blanket Drive will also welcome donations of pads, tampons, and reusable moon cups. Like the years before, the kind folk at Protea Fire & Ice in Pretoria, Melrose Arch and Cape Town have opened their doors as collection points. For folks in Durban, the local drop of venue is St Clements, at 191 Musgrave Road, Durban. 

Collections started on Monday the 3rd of April and ends on the 25th of May 2017. Supporters and donors can come to the final day to help count the donations received, depending on the venue, there will be performances by local artists who all have volunteered their time and performances on the night. While many of us do get caught up with a lot of the bad that happens on the social platform, this is one of the good things that we have going, so lets help spread the word and hopefully make a small change to someones life by giving something back. 

For more information or to become involved in this years drive, please visit www.twitterblanketdrive.com 

Official hashtags and accounts to note.  @tbdsouthafrica & @tdbafrica, when donating, please use the hashtag #TBD2017 & #DignityDrive.