Shoppers help raise funds for Highway charities

MORE than R 6-million was raised this year for a range of schools, charities and conservation organisations by the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet cardholders in Durban.

A firm favourite of Durban cardholders is the local Kloof and Highway SPCA, a MyPlanet beneficiary of the programme. The non-profit organisation, that is entirely reliant on donor funding, received R 57,752.61 in MyPlanet donations this fiscal which supports their operational costs.

On average, every month, 700 unwanted, stray and abused animals are sheltered and treated at the Kloof and Highway SPCA.

During the upcoming festive season they expect this number to double. Kloof and Highway SPCA is currently appealing for donations to see them through this high-demand time.

Another popular beneficiary among Durban cardholders is Focus on iThemba, a MyVillage beneficiary of the programme which operates in the Embo Community in the rural area of Hillcrest.

This registered non-profit organisation received R 54,302.31 in contributions due to shoppers during this fundraising period.

For more than a decade, Focus on iThemba has worked to improve the lives of disadvantaged children through quality education, a cluster foster care home programme and various Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) outreach projects. With a focus on leadership development, the organisation offers quality education scholarships to learners with potential at the iThemba Academy.

Their ECD programme enables surrounding ECD Centres to become sustainable community institutions registered with the Department of Social Development and providing high quality foundation phase education, a vital stepping stone in the development of future leaders. Proceeds from MyVillage go to the operational costs of the iThemba Academy.

Nationally, the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet programme has raised over R70 million for South African schools, charities and environmental organisations in the last fiscal thanks to the support of 1.2 million customers choosing to give back as they shop.

MySchool cardholders can nominate up to three beneficiaries and then swipe their cards at participating retailers every time they shop. The retailers make contributions on behalf of cardholders based on a percentage of their spend, which is then distributed to the schools, charities or conservation bodies of their choice, at no additional costs to the shoppers.

“Every year it is a delight to see how cardholders, schools, charities and businesses are working together to make every swipe count,” said Pieter Twine, MySchool’s general manager.

“We have become one of the country’s biggest community fundraising programmes that enables South Africans to make a difference, just by shopping. Well done, Durban shoppers for playing your part,” said Twine.

Before the start of your Christmas and holiday shopping, sign up for your free MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card online at www.myschool.co.za and select up to three schools, charities and conservation organisations you would most like to support.

Swipe your card every time you shop at a range of participating retailers and with every swipe, the retail partner makes a donation to your selected beneficiary, at no cost to you.