Maxi’s helps give Sylvester her wheels 
In 2013 Maxi’s started a Facebook campaign to show their loyal customers that they care by giving back to the community on a monthly basis. For the month of February, Maxi’s decided to help make Sylvester Matswake life easier by giving a donation towards her new electric wheelchair. Maxi’s contributed R2,50 on behalf of every fan that ‘liked’ Sylvester’s Facebook photo.
Anita Blignaut, the proud owner of both Maxi’s Polokwane Game and Maxi’s Polokwane Checkers, noticed Sylvester wheeling herself to work every day on an old, dilapidated wheelchair, taking her on average an hour and fifteen minutes one way. Sometimes a kind pedestrian would help her, but most of the time she wheels herself.
Blignaut and a few of her restaurants’ loyal customers decided that something needed to be done to help this woman so Blignaut each made a personal donation towards getting an electric wheelchair for Sylvester. As it wasn’t enough to buy the new wheelchair, Anita asked Maxi’s to get involved.  The chain of nationwide family restaurants ran a Facebook campaign, promising fans that Maxi’s would donate R2,50 for every ‘like’ that Sylvester’s photograph received.
On Thursday, 27 March, Anita, her friends and the Maxi’s head office team Blignaut all joined in on the special occasion as they surprised Sylvester with her new electric wheelchair. The day was filled with many emotions, Blignaut and everyone involved was humbled by Sylvester’s sincere appreciation of her “gift of mobility that lifted the world off of her shoulders!”
“My heart went out to Sylvester since the first day I saw her wheeling herself to work and back.  Earning a single income and looking after yourself is already challenging enough for able bodied people, but for Sylvester life was even harder. I take my hat off to her, as she is an inspiration to many people and shows a steadfast commitment to work – come rain or shine,” says Blignaut.
Bronwyn Oliveira, the brand manager of Maxi’s, adds that the chain of national family restaurants is once again thrilled to be able to help those in need.
“On behalf of Maxi’s, I would like to thank all our Facebook fans for their dedication to our campaign and for giving us the opportunity to help Sylvester. We look forward to continued engagement with our fans and being able to help many more people and charities in need,” concludes Oliveira.
If you would like to get involved and help Maxi’s make a difference in someone’s life, become a fan of their Facebook page and prove that you are willing to earn your Fan of the Month status.  Who knows, Maxi’s might just be knocking on your charity’s door at the end of this month!   
For more information on Maxi’s, visit their website on www.maxis.co.za or www.facebook.com/Maxisrestaurant.

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