SINCE the news of the plight of Malvern Child and Youth Care Centre (MCYCC) hit the headlines, much has been done in a relatively short time to help the home which houses almost 90 children in safety.
Community groups, pre-schools, and sports clubs donated items the home needed as well as non-perishable foods and there were some fresh food donations from the farmers, and the home itself netted over R5 000 at a recently held vegetable market and bake sale.
ALSO READ: Malvern children’s home teetering on brink of closure (Video)
Businesses in Queensburgh including a business solutions company in Malvern Park, and Ridley Park Shell have offered to run campaigns to help raise funds for the home.
Win fuel vouchers
John Rodinis, the owner and operator of Ridley Park Shell, is running a competition which will see three lucky winners receiving vouchers for R2 500, R1 500 and R1000 for the first second and third winners respectively.
“Tickets will cost R50 and can be bought from the garage, or from people who will be volunteering to help spread the word,” said Rodinis adding that he was considering approaching schools to see if learners could sell tickets. “Every bit of the R50 from each ticket sold will be donated to the home,” he assured.
Te-Amo issues challenge
For people wanting to donate who would rather deal with an intermediary, Te-Amo Business Solutions in Malvern Park has offered its services to help.
“We have been given a letter by the home giving us permission to collect money on their behalf,” said Cindy Govender a spokesman for the business owned by Craig Naidoo.
“If people want to donate cash and would like to bring it into the office, phone 031 463 3124 to make arrangements.”
She explained the company has also committed to helping the home with a variety of business solutions.
Govender said Te-Amo is also challenging other businesses in the area to support the home. Listen as she explains it in this voice note sent to the Queensburgh News last week.
Public outreach
Margaret Stoop McAvoy, director at MSJ Marketing which spearheaded the public outreach campaign to help the home, said she was astounded by the level of support from the greater Queensburgh community.
“We have seen a tremendous response despite within just over two weeks,” said Stoop McAvoy last week. She explained her company had been approached by members of the new board for help following their success in running publicity campaigns in the Upper Highway area in the past.
“We have not charged a cent for this work and need to make sure people know the money raised for the home is going to the home,” she said.
She said the resources they offered included printing, establishing a social media drive and helping galvanise the hard work already being done by the home.
“We are experts in this type of thing, so it makes sense we take over the marketing and communication to allow people like Andile to focus on the primary responsibilities of being the home’s director and his work as a social worker.”
This week the home announced on its Facebook page that it was engaged with a company which has offered to provide it with energy saving solutions which will helpfully cut future electricity bills and keep the work going without any interruption.
“We have had a full electrical usage assessment done by the Magnet Group which has sponsored a huge amount of amazing cost-saving gadgets for us to use in the home,” said Andile Ncamana.
“We are determined to make this hurdle a way for us to grow and improve so we never have such a problem in the future,” said the optimistic director of the home.
MYCC has also been keeping people informed about what the home needs to ensure they receive help which is most useful. They regularly post ‘wish lists’ and explain specific needs on their facebook page like this one:
There are many events on the horizon to help raise funds for this deserving NGO, keep updated by regularly checking in with the Queensburgh News facebook page where we will be posting links to all stories regarding this initiative.
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