The next time you visit Express Avenue Mall, Royapettah, head to the charity kiosk located near the Food Court. This booth has been set up by the DEAN (Dignify and Empower the Ailing and the Needy) Foundation, a voluntary organisation specialising in hospice and palliative care, to sell merchandise donated by the community and raise funds for its charity work.
Even if you don’t want to buy anything from the kiosk, you can still help the cause.
“You might have got 10 bedsteads as gift for your wedding. You can donate one or two at the kiosk,” says Deepa Muthaiya, chairman of Dean Foundation. Old newspapers and medicines within the expiry date are a few other things the Foundation accepts. The kiosk also has a good number of paper jewellery and other artefacts sourced directly from artisans. Opened a year ago, the kiosk is manned by Foundation staff, who takes turns to do the job. “This is the first premium retail space given free of charge to an organisation offering hospice and palliative care,” says Deepa. The funds collected through the sale may be too insignificant to meet the the costs of a project, but spreading awareness about the Foundation through the kiosk is counted as a gain too.
“The kiosk is a great way to raise our profile and create awareness. It has increased referrals,” she says.
Activities are also conducted near the kiosk to raise funds. For instance, one can bake a cake and donate it at the kiosk and ask customers to guess its weight.
“We are still looking for funds and volunteers as our services are provided free of charge and those who can afford donate,” says Deepa.
The Foundation is also seeking to work alongside corporates as part of the latter’s CSR initiatives.
Dean Foundation’s Chairity Kiosk is located at 3rd Floor, Express Avenue Mall, Royapettah. Phone: 9282505090
Its head office is located at Old No 73, New No 59, II Street, Aspiran Garden Colony, Kilpauk. Phone: 26602112, 26454949. website: >deanfoundation.org .
