“Christmas is a time of giving and, unfortunately, it is also a time when unscrupulous people try to take advantage of people’s generosity,” said Kathy Jooste, CEO for the Avril Elizabeth Home for the Mentally Handicapped.
Jooste said her concern was based on reports reaching the home that there were people posing as representatives of the Avril Elizabeth Home and collecting funds in its name.
The home has always had a strict regime of fund collection and people fund-raising for it are given written permission to do so.
The home does not approve and, therefore, does not give permission to “fund-raisers” who accost people in parking lots or shopping centres.
“We do, however, have people who sell Avril Elizabeth Home button badges in some shopping centres,” Jooste added.
“They will always be seated at a table and will have identification and information from the home.”
There are also fund-raisers who approach companies and the public on Avril Elizabeth’s behalf, but they carry identification that clearly marks them as the home’s representatives.
In addition, Teddy collection tins are visibly marked with the Avril Elizabeth teddy bear logo, and with the organisation’s non-profit organisation number and contact details.
“Please do not contribute to tins that are not clearly marked as Avril Elizabeth Home Teddy Tins,” Jooste said.
If you are at all in doubt about the documentation of a person approaching you for funding, or about a Teddy Tin, itself, please feel free to call us; we will investigate the matter immediately.”
For more ways on how to donate, or to find out more about the Avril Elizabeth Home, visit their website on www.avril.org.za, or contact them on 011 822-2233.
