Two Bits – 24 October 2014

Over the years, the North Coast has shown that it likes nothing more than a charity event. We enjoy giving to the less fortunate.
This was borne out by our last national marketing survey, which showed that more than one in five people donated regularly to charities – way above the national average. It came as a surprise to the people who conducted the survey, but not to us here at the newspaper, who regularly write about new ventures aimed at raising money for charity.
The Zimbali Rotary club has turned fundraising into an art form. In the four years that it has been going, the Miss Ballito contest has raised just short of R500 000 in cash alone for deserving causes on the North Coast.
Of course you don’t get something for nothing. The club selects a dozen girls from the community and quite literally puts them to work. They model, they work on community projects, they raise money from their families and supporters. In return, the club gives them experiences most of them will never again have: in modelling and deportment, yes, but also thinking of others outside of their own experience. All come away saying they have thoroughly enjoyed the three month long experience, feeling more confident about themselves and more aware of the needs of others.
The outgoing Miss Ballito, Shelley Buckle, has been an outstanding ambassador for Ballito, the Rotary organisation and the cause she chose to champion, the deaf.
An interesting aside, Pierre de Charmoy’s smooth, melodious singing during the dinner break was an inspiration. He’s getting better and better as he matures and really provides easy listening.
An evening like the Miss Ballito pageant, with a dozen finalists, several hundred supporters and sponsors all demanding attention, is no easy thing to put together. It takes a lot of hard work and careful planning. Organisers Heidie Smith, Brenda Cartledge and others, supported by their club, can take a bow for a superbly-run event that hopefully will run and run for many years.
* * *
A blonde is keen to make an impression with the kids on her first day as a schoolteacher. During games in the afternoon she notices a boy standing by himself while the rest of the boys are playing soccer.
“Are you alright?”she asks the boy.
“I’m fine,”he smiles.
“Would you like me to stay here and be your friend?”
“OK,” replies the boy suspiciously.
“Why is a nice kid like you standing here all alone?”
“Because I’m the goalie.”