67 Blankets, One Community: Herzlia’s Mandela Day in Action
This Mandela Day, Herzlia High School’s Outreach Committee is bringing something simple, thoughtful and deeply human to life, one square at a time. Inspired by the call to give 67 minutes in honour of Nelson Mandela, pupils have launched a community-wide initiative to create 67 knee-sized blankets for those in need across Cape Town this winter.
The project centres around crocheting individual squares, small, manageable contributions that will be stitched together into full blankets. It’s a deliberately simple idea, but one that carries real meaning.
“Winter in Cape Town can be incredibly harsh and we wanted a project that was both tangible and inclusive,” the Outreach Committee shared. “Crocheting a blanket square is something almost anyone can do. It bridges the gap between generations. It’s a slow act of kindness that requires thought and effort, making the final gift meaningful and useful.”
What makes this initiative stand out is not just the end goal, but the way it invites participation. Whether you’re an experienced crocheter, a complete beginner, or simply able to donate wool, there’s a place for everyone to contribute.
For those wanting to learn, pupils are hosting a hands-on tutorial session, opening the door for even more of the community to get involved. Mila and Aimee from the Herzlia Outreach Committee say that:
“Being part of the Outreach Committee is about living the value of Tikkun Olam,” they explain. “It’s not just a school requirement. It’s a chance to step outside our own bubble and connect with our neighbours. It means taking responsibility for the welfare of others and realising that even as pupils, we have the power to make a real-world impact.
Don’t feel like you have to be an expert to help. Whether you donate a single ball of wool or crochet a dozen squares, you are contributing to a legacy of care. Every square you make is a message to someone in need that says, ‘You are seen, and you are valued.’”
For the pupils leading this initiative, Mandela Day is more than a date on the calendar.
“It’s a reminder that it is in our hands. It shifts the focus from ‘me’ to ‘we’. It’s about honouring a man who gave so much by giving a little of ourselves back. And it’s a call to action that lasts far beyond just 67 minutes.”
As the squares begin to come together, so too does something bigger, a reflection of a community choosing to act with intention, warmth and care.
If you’d like to be part of the project, donations of wool and crochet needles can be dropped at the High School office, and all are welcome to join the upcoming tutorial session. One square at a time, real impact takes shape!
