Former students crowdfund for retired teacher’s new car following a theft in Emmarentia
WESTDENE – Funds roll in from across the globe for former German School teacher whose car was stolen.
They say to teach is to touch a life and a retired German School teacher who was a victim of a car theft is getting back everything she put in at the school over the years.
The Northcliff Melville Times (NMT) published an article about Myrtle Dittberner (77) who was the victim of a car theft outside an Emmarentia grocery store.
READ: Elderly woman (77) left stranded after car theft
Since publishing the article on 13 July a fund was set up on 14 July by German School alumnus, Thomas Troxler who is currently living in Switzerland. At the time of publishing
R75 670 has been collected from 84 contributors and the goal is to collect R100 000 which would go towards buying Dittberner a new car and possibly car insurance depending on her decision.
“She truly did an amazing job for which I believe she probably received disproportionately few thank yous over the years… My hope is that perhaps a car dealership or insurance broker comes to the party and offers something too,” Troxler said.
One of the fund’s South African contributors, who is helping to facilitate the project and who wished to remain anonymous, said two generations of her family were taught by Dittberner. She explained how much of an impact she made, which is why so many German School alumni are willing to help.
“This is unreal. I am so grateful I could just cry. I want to thank everyone for their support. I can’t believe it,” an emotional Dittberner said.
She told NMT she had only found out on 17 July when almost 68 percent of the monies were already gathered.
When asked if she has thought about the kind of car she will buy with the money, she said she hasn’t given it too much thought but would like a smaller car than her previous Toyota Corolla she had since 1996.
There are 45 days left to contribute towards her car on candystick.co.za, a crowdfunding website, so if you know Dittberner and even if you don’t, visit the site to donate and make her mobile again.
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