Friends make it their mission to help needy shelters
Three women, two charities and two awesome events.
Three friends, Carol Vos, Monica Culhane and Val Pratley, have decided to show the West Rand that they also care.
They came up with the idea of helping two organisations by hosting two fundraising events. Monica knows the band Celtic Blue, which will perform at two of the events and Val knows one of the charities they want to help, as her mother was and sister is a resident of Shalom Respite Care Centre in Magaliesburg, which sparked her interest in helping the non-government organisation.
Photo: Bianca Pindral.
The charity takes care of 12 physically and mentally challenged children – each with a bright and happy personality.
The Centre was the brainchild of Wendy Mackie, who saw that parents who have profoundly challenged children also needed a break from all the duties they have to fulfill on a daily basis and that their siblings sometimes also had to face considerable difficulties.
“Some parents feel guilty for having challenged children and don’t know how to deal with the constant challenges they face,” said Wendy. “They too need a break and that’s why I started this centre. The parents can have a weekend or week off while their challenged children are well taken care of. They can take their other children on holiday, knowing that their challenged child is also enjoying a holiday in a safe environment.”
Photo: Bianca Pindral.
Wendy transformed the respite centre into a permanent centre and now also has permanent residents. From an autistic child to those with cerebral palsy – all of them live together in a loving, caring and safe environment.
But as with any non-government organisation, the upkeep of the facilities is financially strenuous, and because Val’s mother and sister lived at the centre for quite some time, Shalom has crawled into her heart.
“Wendy is just a genius when it comes to working with challenged people,” said Val. “Coll (my sister) lives very happily on the farm and enjoys the animals.”
The farm has two donkeys, a pony, and a number of geese and goats.
Photo: Bianca Pindral.
The friends will host a St Patrick’s Day Charity Bash and a Celtic Blue music evening, and those who attend will be thoroughly entertained and can enjoy scrumptious meals too – knowing that their money will go to a good cause.
The proceeds will be split between Shalom and the Tower of Life’s shelters.
EVENT DETAILS:
• The St Patrick’s Day Charity Bash will take place on Saturday 17 March. There will be live Irish music from 7pm until late. Costs are R199 per person which includes a buffet dinner. The bash will take place at the Ruimsig Country Club and corporate tables are available to purchase. For tickets, contact Monica Culhane on 072 374 3321 or send an email to monica.culhane@gmail.com.
• The Celtic Blue music evening will take place on Friday 23 March at the AFM Church in Libertas Street, Noordheuwel. Lots of Irish, contemporary and golden oldie music will be played. The event starts at 7pm and tickets are R100 per person. You can purchase your tickets by depositing money into the Gerard Culhane Attorney Trust Account, Nedbank Westgate branch, account number 198 22 999 83. Email your proof of payment to monica.culhane@gmail.com. For more information, contact 011 955 2190.
For more information about Shalom visit https://shalomrespitecarecentre.co.za/about-us/.
Financial contributions to Shalom can be deposited into the account in the name of Shalom Respite Care Centre, Standard Bank Krugersdorp, Branch Code: 015841, Account Number: 021 399 794.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.I
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