The Rand Park High School debutantes managed to raise a staggering collective R1 Million for fundraising efforts.
The school held their debutantes’ ball on Saturday night at Mount Usambara, Krugersdorp, to celebrate the effort.
A new fundraising record was set for the school as a result of the phenomenal effort of all the girls, their parents and the staff who organised the Debs’ programme for the year.
The top three debutantes were Gabriella Adolphe who raised R415 715, Amy Bannister who raised R100 051, and Hannah Zoutendyk who raised R37 004.
Debutantes raised their amounts by participating in fetes, selling home-baked goods, sourcing sponsorships and donations as well as participating in Barnyard fundraisers, golf days and similar events.
The girls learned important skills during their year of being a debutante, which included planning, budgeting, communication, customer service, entrepreneurial knowledge and the value of hard work.
The school’s top debutante for this year Gabriella Adolphe said, “It was a privilege to serve my school and to be involved with raising funds that will benefit so many people. I learnt that working hard pays off and I am so grateful to my parents and the staff involved in this year’s programme for teaching me so much, as well as for their support.”
Adolphe donated a great deal of her personal time to work for various charitable organisations after hours and over weekends, in return for donations received from individual and corporate donors.
A percentage of the funds raised are donated to charity together with knitted toys that are made for CHOC Foundation patients by the Debs, their parents and grandparents.
Grade 9 and 10 youngsters were invited to join the debutantes fundraising programme in August and serve the school until July the following year.
The programme alternates each year, and 95 girls qualified to attend the ball with their partners.
They had to raise a minimum amount to attend, and if they doubled this amount, their parents were invited to attend the ball too.
Principal of Rand Park High School, Alan Wilke, congratulated the debutantes and their parents on an outstanding fundraising year and thanked them for their invaluable contribution to the school.
The funds will be used to upgrade the school’s facilities to benefit the learners and those who follow in years to come.
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