Yesterday, 11 organisations based in and around East London were the deserving beneficiaries of funds raised by the Gately Club of Rotary’s annual wine auction.
In this, its 27th year, the club’s auction raised an impressive R500 000, of which just over R200 000 was given to organisations at an event at the Premier Hotel in East London.
The remaining funds are set to be awarded during the course of the year.
Gately Club of Rotary president Stephen Keet, said that the club’s aim is to support organisations that contribute to make a difference in the community.
He said that each organisation they selected received varying amounts depending on their specific needs.
“CANSA is going to use their donation on purchasing a mobile massager chair so that they can reach rural communities and patients who are unable to travel to them for treatment,” said Keet, who was delighted to see that many of the organisations would use the funds on projects, programmes and equipment that would make a difference.
Other beneficiaries of the event included the Carel du Toit Centre, St Bernard’s Hospice, Masithethe Counselling Services, the Salem Baby Care Centre, the Buckaroo Project and iThemba Ranch.
“We were so fortunate to be one of the beneficiaries today. We received R20 000 that will go towards our Tween Lifeskill course for kids between 12 – 14 years old and our Personal Growth & Leadership Skills course for teens between 16 and 21 years old which we will be holding in East London and Berlin,” said director of Masithethe Counselling services (formerly Lifeline), Jackie Orsmond.Fellow beneficiaries, St Bernard’s Hospice, received R26 000 which will be used to help Hospice purchase a syringe driver. Director Melissa Knox said the machine will go a long way in helping their patients.
iThemba Ranch’s cofounder and operations director, Jami Haynes, said that the R12 000 received at yesterday’s event would go towards the organisation’s new horse retirement programme. Keet said that the event was a success and that the club was honoured to give these organisations exposure, while giving club members and sponsors an opportunity to see where and how their money is being used.
“It’s not just about handing over money, it’s about making sure that it’s used for something good and truly changes lives through these organisations,” said Keet...