It’s cool to care about your community
FOURWAYS – If your New Year's resolution is to help others more, you're in luck! The Fourways Review has put together a list of five local charities and how you can support them.
If your New Year’s resolution is to get involved with a local cause, you’re in luck! Here are some of the charities and organisation based in the greater Fourways area that could use your help.
- If you love dogs… why not support Ark Animal Centre?
The Ark Animal Centre is a non-profit animal shelter located in the Chartwell area and cares for a number of dogs in need, particularly pregnant dogs and puppies. Besides donations such as food, money and bedding, Ark is also always in need of volunteers to spend time with their animals, give much-loved walks or otherwise spend time at the shelter. Second-hand good donations for their charity shop are also welcome.
- If you love horses… why not visit the South African Lipizzaners?
As Europe was ravaged by the Second World War in the 1940s, a handful of Lipizzaners (an old and beautiful breed of horse) left the continent and came to South Africa for safety. Over 70 years later, the South African Lipizzaners is a non-profit company that cares and protect the beautiful white stallions. While donations are welcome, you can also experience the magic of the breed by attending weekly performances at their grounds in Kyalami (every Sunday morning at 10.30am) or become a friend of the Lipizzaners.
- If you want to support underprivileged learners… why not give Saturday classes with EduLift SA?
Started by a former learner from Crawford College Lonehill, Justin Carlse, EduLift SA hosts an academic outreach programme from Lonehill every Saturday for children from grades 3 to 12. Besides funding and food donations (participants get a good meal every week – your brain can’t work on an empty stomach!), the organisation is always looking for people willing to lead lessons for the children in a range of subjects including maths and English. The children who participate often come from the Cosmo City area.
- If you want to support the disabled… why not become a puppy raiser for the South African Guide-Dogs Association?
The South African Guide-Dogs Association is located in the Paulshof area and trains working dogs that will one day become guide dogs for the visually impaired, support dogs for adults with disabilities or autism support dogs for children with autism. These animals can give people the gift of independence, but they need to come from somewhere! As such, the organisation is always looking for volunteer puppy raisers who will care for and train the animals for the first year or so of their lives before formal training begins. If you have the time and commitment to do this work, the organisation will take on most of the costs of caring for the animal.
- If you care about local wildlife… why not support the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital?
South Africa has some truly spectacular wildlife, including pangolins, indigenous bats, bushbabies, birdlife and reptiles. But what happens when these animals get sick or injured? Well, one place they can receive treatment free of charge is at the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, who provides their services for free in these cases. The practice has already cared for dozens of pangolins in the last 12 months, and need donations to continue this vital work. You can donate cash, food for the animals (such as insects and rodents), add them to your MySchool card or take a look at their online wish list?
Give EduLift the support it needs
Puppy raisers lend their hearts to worthy cause
