Why volunteer?
"We encourage young people all over the country to volunteer for Casual Day by helping organisations to raise donations for stickers and get their schools involved," says Khumo Moyane who volunteered last year and has since been offered a contract position with the organisation.
"Volunteering is a very good way to kick start your career," says Moyane. "It shows that you are willing to work hard and it is a way to prove your worth to future employers. I found the work really gratifying and found a home here with Casual Day. I have a position at the Casual Day office, but I will continue to volunteer in my community on my off days."
"Casual Day is an ideal and fun way for learners to do their community service," says Project Leader Celeste Vinassa. "Whenever we have had young people out in the field selling stickers, they have always had the best time. Casual Day also relies heavily on volunteers to sell stickers all over the country. We work with hundreds of organisations in the disability sector, which means there are opportunities for young people in every suburb. Our ambassadors are also all volunteers and they do spectacular work in their communities. This is a national project that happens at a community level, so we need to make sure that people are reached in their home towns. We also encourage parents to get their companies on board to raise donations for stickers. Young people should call us to get hooked up with NGOs in their area."
Casual Day is South Africa's most successful fundraising project for persons with disabilities, and the amount raised for last year has climbed to R24,8m. Sponsored by The Edcon Group, Casual Day is the flagship project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA), which this year celebrates 75 years of service to the community of persons with disabilities.
"This year we have printed 3,5m stickers and we need everyone's help to raise donations for these stickers. We don't just sell stickers on one day, we must start now to make this year a success.
"Casual Day provides the country with the opportunity to show their solidarity with persons with disabilities, at the same time enjoying team building and camaraderie with their fellow participants. It gives South Africans the opportunity to be creative and have fun while contributing to the betterment of society. It is community spirit in action and the project relies heavily on volunteers for its success," says Vinassa.
Last year, Nicole Laxton adopted an early learning centre for children with disabilities and spent many wonderful hours with the children, playing and dispensing hugs. She decorated one of the classrooms and arranged a donation of fresh vegetables to the centre. She volunteers to raise awareness around persons with disabilities. She has a deep understanding of what it is like to be bullied at school because she has a condition called Absence Epilepsy. She feels her achievements are defined by what she can contribute and the difference that she can make. She is very active in her own community and organised her own fundraiser for Casual Day, last year raising R47K.
Patrick Mashegwana and Moyane call themselves Think Beyond, a philanthropic fraternity that uses inspirational rhetoric and pop culture to encourage and inspire the youth to become ambassadors of social transformation. They visit orphanages, churches and schools to deliver inspirational speeches. "We are building bridges between the community of persons with disabilities and the society in which they live - and encouraging them to participate in Casual Day," says Mashegwana.
Moyane is his charismatic co-speaker, delivering the Casual Day message with a positive attitude that is infectious and irresistible. As Casual Day ambassadors Moyane and Mashegwana last year paid several visits to schools and expos to introduce learners to Casual Day.
Moyane says, "We encourage the mainstream schools to partner with Casual Day's participating schools for learners with disabilities. That way we will get thousands more stickers sold this year."
Mashegwana adds, "We are focusing a lot of our time raising awareness around this project, which raises funds for persons with disabilities. We have thrown our weight behind the project because of its empowerment objectives. It is incredible when South Africans can act in unison to create a positive effect. This they do by donating R10 for a sticker and making Casual Day a memorable event."
To become a Casual Day volunteer, email Judith.
