The Germiston Child and Family Welfare Society is in high spirits due to Tekkie Tax Day, which takes place on Friday.
Tekkie Tax is a national fund-raising campaign for nearly 300 welfare organisations, which have joined forces for a big campaign with big impact.
“We are hoping to get as many local schools, companies, members of the community and anybody else who wants to support Tekkie Tax to get involved,” said the director of Germiston Child Welfare, Barbara Bouwer.
“What is nice about this campaign is that you are not supporting one organisation, but everybody benefits.
“All the charities that participate fall under the animal, children, basic family and care, education or disability categories.
“So you have five different sectors and, underneath all these, you have different organisations; for instance, the SPCA would fall under the animal sector.”
Bouwer explained that there are a number of ways in which you can show your support for Tekkie Tax.
“We have the adults’ golf shirts, the children’s T-shirts, shoe laces and the stickers representing the different welfare organisations,” she said.
“If corporates get involved they can have a team-building event at their offices on this day, in support of what we consider to be a very good fund-raising campaign.
“We are looking at having an event on May 29 and are in talks with a certain corporates, but nothing has been confirmed yet; otherwise it is just fun for everyone involved.”
Bouwer also told the GCN that Justine Le Toit, a participant in the Miss Teen Commonwealth pageant (see GCN, April 10), is not the only youngster who has joined forces with Germiston Child Welfare.
“Along the way we have youngsters who have decided to join and support us, and one of them is Deandé Swart,” she said.
“Swart is the Face of KZN and was recently crowned the Face of South Africa.
“As part of her pageant campaign participation, she needs to link to a charity or charities of her choice and raise funds for that organisation,” Bouwer explained.
“Through mutual contacts we have she was made aware of Tekkie Tax and is now supporting it.
“What is also important for us is that children need to be able to learn to give back to the community and this is a nice way to do so.
“Sometimes our children are protected from what is happening out in the real world to other children of their age, in less fortunate situations.”
In other news, Germiston Child Welfare will have another fund-raising event tomorrow (May 28), at Rodizio Restaurant.
“Rodizio is a Brazilian restaurant, in Bedfordview, where we will have an adult fund-raiser, and the theme of the day is ‘Eat as much meat as you can,” explained Bouwer.
“This also forms part of Child Protection Week, which started on Monday, so all the focus is on children.
“We are also selling tickets, if anybody is interested.”
For more information, or to participate in Tekkie Tax, contact Germiston Child Welfare on 011 825-3655, or Bouwer on 082 804 8376, or email to her on barbarabouwer@germistonchildwelfare.org.za.
