A community group is marking the New Year with a series of charitable and environmental initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable families and individuals.
One Heart Bahrain (OHB) has launched a winter clothing donation drive for low-income workers, which will run until January 10, in partnership with Bahrain Rugby Football Club, which will serve as the collection point.
“The timing is perfect as people can donate items they no longer need after the festive gift-giving season,” OHB volunteer Amal Ishaq told the GDN.
“The campaign will culminate in a winter festival at a Sanad labour camp later in January, where donated clothing will be displayed for workers to browse and choose suitable items.” The event will also feature the distribution of tea and samosas, as well as music and games, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
“Our goal is to go beyond simply handing over goods,” Ms Ishaq said, adding that volunteers and workers will spend time together, share conversations and build genuine human connections.
In addition to its humanitarian efforts, OHB plans to promote environmental awareness and community-based action next year.
On January 9, the group will host an ‘Eco Awareness and Action Beach Clean-Up’ at Malkiya beach, in collaboration with youth-led partners including WMC Toastmasters and Gavel Club, Urbaser and Al Mahd School.
“This is more than a typical clean up,” Ms Ishaq explained.
“It is an eco-learning lab where around 50 Al Mahd students, Gavel youth mentors, families and community volunteers will learn about marine conservation, waste management and recycling.”
Participants will clean the beach using proper recycling methods while also learning how to protect marine and coastal plants as well as animal life.
“As we step into 2026, our resolution is to show young people that caring for the planet starts right here on Bahrain’s beaches,” she said, adding that this event is the first in a series of Eco Learning Labs designed to nurture the next generation of environmental stewards.
The event is open to schools, youth groups, families, community organisations and individual volunteers.
Registration details can be found on the group’s social media platform, @oneheartbahrain.
Earlier this month, OHB also distributed festive food parcels to families in need ahead of Christmas. The parcels included emergency food rations along with a few festive treats to help ease financial pressure and remind recipients that they were not forgotten during the season.
“While some families celebrate Christmas and others do not, our aim was to show that we are one humanity,” Ms Ishaq said. “Parcels were given to anyone in need, regardless of faith, so everyone felt included.”
The group also collected pre-loved toys for children with special needs in collaboration with Shahzaibs Club House, which were later distributed during the festive season.
Founded in 2019, One Heart Bahrain is an unregistered, volunteer-run community movement that organises donation drives, environmental clean-ups, educational initiatives and seasonal campaigns to support families in need, low-income workers and special-needs communities.
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