Nissan South Africa (NSA) kicked off its 2008 Winter Warmer Campaign today during the launch of its upgraded NP 300 Hardbody range in the Hartbeespoort Dam area. Demonstrating the load capacity of the vehicle, 15 tonnes' worth of foodstuffs, blankets and general groceries - earmarked for needy communities in the North West province as part of NSA's annual Winter Warmer Campaign - were loaded onto the NP 300 Hardbodies during the three launch days.
"We decided to co-incide the start of this year's Winter Warmer Campaign with the launch of the upgraded NP 300 Hardbody, to give people an idea of how much the vehicle can hold." said Pat Senne, NSA's General Manager, Group Corporate Affairs and Communications. "We draw many employees from the North West province and we therefore take every opportunity to invest in these communities through our corporate social responsibility programme. We hope that our contribution will make the winter season more bearable for those in need," she added.
To assist with the distribution of the items, Nissan joined hands with the Pecanwood Educational Trust (PET) the outreach arm of Pecanwood College, which is known for its support of deprived communities in the Hartbeespoort area.
PET's focus of 'empowerment through education' is in line with Nissan's global philosophy of contributing to the education of children from all walks of life. As part of its outreach programme, PET manages a feeding scheme that feeds 700 learners in the community per day. Over the next few months six schools, two pre-schools and three community organisations (old age home, informal settlement and community church) will benefit from goods delivered with the new NP 300 Hardbodies. Amongst other initiatives, PET has also established a number of food gardens in the areas, as well as laundry facilities at schools for learners and their families, who do not have access to running water at home.
"We were delighted when Nissan approached us to introduce them to communities in need. Our main goal is to assist children in impoverished communities in South Africa and by partnering with Nissan in this project, young people in our area will have the nourishment necessary for sustained energy and mental acuity in the learning environment, which will, in turn, enable them to reach their full potential," says Felicity Gallagher, Project Director at PET.
The practical example of the load capacity of the new NP 300 Hardbody formed part of a demonstration of the vehicle's other key selling points at the launch. The motoring media were also given an opportunity to test the capability of the loaded vehicles during a drive to drop off the goods at Pecanwood College.
"Not only is Nissan a leading motor manufacturer in South Africa, but we also have the added advantage of being able to utilise our products to make a difference in the communities where we do business," concluded Senne, underscoring the usefulness of the upgraded 4x4 vehicle.
Nissan's Winter Warmer Campaign, which started in 2006, has seen a substantial donation of food, clothing and other necessities to orphanages and old age homes in and round the area of its manufacturing plant in Pretoria.
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