KINGSBURGH Child and Family Welfare Society, which tirelessly serves the community, celebrates its 70th anniversary in November.
To commemorate this milestone, a number of exciting fundraising initiatives are on the cards. The organisation plans to raise R70,000, a R1,000 for every year of its existence.
“We will kickstart the fundraising drive on our open day on Friday, 20 February. A tree, named ‘Kingsburgh Welfare’s money tree’ which has just bare branches will be put up in our offices. As donations come in, we will add them as leaves to the tree,” said chairman Jenny Smith.
Businesses and individuals are urged to come on board to support this drive.
The open day also aims to highlight welfare’s work to the public. “Many people don’t know we exist. We want people to become aware of what we do, we believe in transparency. In spite of our limited resources we are helping the community,” said senior social worker Sandra Govender.
The society was founded in November, 1945 and is still flourishing, continuing to meet the needs of the community. Sandra provides professional counselling and her case work involves child abuse and neglect, marital difficulties, family reconstruction, unmarried mothers and general social problems.
Having initially started with one-on-one counselling sessions, the organisation has grown its services with educational programmes which target bigger groups of people. “Previously Lotto funded many of our educational programmes. However, with this funding having dried up, we will not stop them, but look at more cost-effective ways of holding them for the benefit of the community.”
Kingsburgh Welfare serves the communities of Kingsburgh, Warner Beach, Illovo Beach, St Winifreds, Doonside, Doonheights, Winklespruit and Lower Illovo. It also caters for clients from KwaMakhutha and Rainbow Park. “Anyone who pops in to our offices for help, we don’t turn them away empty-handed,” said Jenny.
The society is a self-funded private enterprise and fundraising has becoming increasingly competitive. For some 30 years it held an annual flower show, which has now dwindled. “The flower show has run its course. We will now focus on our children’s art competition and a flower show for children if enough interest is shown,” said Jenny.
Items donated to a charity shop helps welfare feed and clothe its clients. “Before items go into the shop, our first priority is our clients. We help between 20 to 30 families a month. Funds raised from items sold in the shop are used to buy food for our clients. If we have excess items, we pass them on to A Centre That Serves or Angel Wings.” Currently the shop is urgently in need of clothes for all ages, shoes and household goods.
Plans are also in the pipeline to host a family-orientated celebratory concert on Saturday, 31 October. “We are looking for performers for the show such as dancers and those interested in volunteering their time to make the show a success,” said Jenny.
A dynamic volunteer fundraiser is also urgently needed. If able to help, contact the offices on 031-916-2274.
The open day will be held at Kingsburgh Child Welfare offices at 2 Hall Road, Warner Beach (next to Kingsburgh library) on Friday, 20 February between 8.30am and 4pm.
Refreshments will be served during the day.
