One community hero made a veggie special request for his birthday this year, revealing that vegetables are at the top of his wish list. Here’s why:
Johannesburg, South Africa (14 June, 2023) — Wanting vegetables as a birthday gift might sound like an elite vegan experience, but one community leader’s reason is as down-to-earth as a reason could be.
Stephan Ferreira, Charity Begins With Me’s founder, made a unique request for his birthday month of June.
“Please buy me a potato”, he wrote leading into his birthday announcement.
No, Stephan hasn’t become a potato hoarder. Or a vegan connoisseur. In fact, the veggie gifts aren’t even for him. Instead, he’s using his birthday as an opportunity to do what he does as often as he can—give back to children and families in need.
Despite sharing that he’s not one to make a fuss over his birthday or even celebrate it, this year is different.
Stephan is gearing up to have a township birthday party and like any good party, the celebration needs party packs. Vegetable party packs to be specific, so that the children can take them home to share with their families.
On his wishlist are carrots, sweet potatoes, gem squash onions and of course, potatoes.
His big goal is to create 600 vegetable-inspired party packs for his unofficial family, and we can all rise to the occasion!
If you have veggies just waiting to be helpful, get in touch with Stephan!
About Charity Begins With Me
Stephen Ferriera started ‘Charity Begins With Me‘ shortly after he was first diagnosed with cancer in 2016. He realised he could do so much more with the life he had left and quickly set up the charity as a way to give back. He ran the charity throughout his chemotherapy treatments, remission and, sadly, his relapse. Whatever battles he faces in his own life, it is those of others that give him the strength to push through.
You can follow along with his community and charity work here.