On the June 26th, STAND held a charity dinner to launch the TAKE HEART PROJECT. This project is community based and utilises the skills of unemployed South Africans. A small puzzle, which is handmade, will be sold to raise funds so that we can give out-of-work South Africans employment. Any additional monies will be used to open our first Crisis Centre northwest of Johannesburg. Although we are not under any illusion that this project will stop the unprecedented spate of violence in our country, we do know that giving people who "steal" to feed their families a chance of making a living, will reduce petty crime - a small step indeed, but at least it's a step in the right direction. Of course we would need the support of our communities and the wonderful, warm-hearted people of South Africa, who always spontaneously open their wallets. Our TAKE HEART PUZZLE will sell for R20.00. If you would like to be part of making a difference in the beloved country, contact us at takeheart@stand.co.za and we'll gladly send you the puzzle. We thank all of you who attended our dinner and hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did. We'll be calling on you again, because without your support, organisations like STAND wouldn't have a hope of survival. THANK YOU FOR CARING.
We take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt and grateful thanx to the following people and companies, without whom, the TAKE HEART PROJECT would not have been even remotely possible. ON BEHALF OF ALL SOUTH AFRICANS WHO HAVE SURVIVED VIOLENCE WE THANK YOU: TARSUS TECHNOLOGIES who sponsored the project with much-needed funds. Thank you Pierre. ROB AND SHARON MATTHEWS without whose moral and financial support, we would be lost. Thank you both, you're an inspiration to all who have the honour of calling you friends RUBY'S RESTAURANT & STAFF (011 465 5450) who put up with us every Wednesday nite and who support all our efforts both financially and morally GAVIN SHARPLES of THE BIG COMPANY who gives of his time (and humour) at the shortest notice and without hesitation. You're a legend in your own time Gav, thank you! Gavin has published the most outstanding book entitled "The Gift" this is an absolute must-have. The book sells for R150.00; if you would like a copy, please contact mal@thebigcompany.co.za KENNY MAISTRY of 94.7 fame who, without even knowing us, took on the role of MC, auctioneer and "prize-giver-outer" and his beautiful wife NICKY, who has been a pillar of strength to me. Bless you both for all your help and support TUXEDO JUNCTION - HANDS-ON PROMOTIONS thank you guys, for providing the music that ushered our guests into the venue. You didn't know us, but gave of your time and talent SHATTERED GLASS (SEAN BAKOS) thank you for providing both the music and equipment without hesitation UNLIMITED EVENTS (ANITA BARNARD) for the table decor, again no questions asked, everyone just piled in, set everything up and then collected it all the next day! Thank you Anita and staff NUNO'S PORTUGESE RESTAURANT: (011 482 6990) thank you for your donation - you met us once but gave anyway, people like u make the good fight worthwhile THE STAND TEAM - how would we EVER manage without you guys? Limited resources and time, but passion and devotion that words cannot describe - Mary-Anne: for all your contacts (as above), you help without hesitation, even though you have a young family and a demanding job - we love you M Lynette: a wedding in August, a grandchild on the way, a sick son and still i can rely on you no matter what - thank you Lyn, bless you and your family Danielle: (my sister) a wedding, also in August, a sick daughter who is the bride-to-be, moving house, counselling victims of crime without one word of complaint - how blessed i am to have a sister like you! Johann: a sick wife and a daughter recuperating from open heart surgery, your own business and three wonderful children, all of whom packed thousands of TAKE HEART trinkets - God bless you and yours! Halette: two sons killed by violent criminals, but without a qualm you donated a holiday and helped us pack 150 party packs. Thank you Halette Oupa: also a survivor of violence when your son was killed and u were so sick that day, and were flying to the USA the next day, but still u went out and got sponsorship for us and still came to see if u could do anything for us. Thank u my friend, u have no idea how much we love u Jacquie: my neighbour and my friend, a benefactor to all who kno u, u take in all the strays from animals to people, u run from pillar to post doing stuff for other people, and yet one phone call from me and u give of your time and talent without question... i wouldn't move from my neighbourhood for a million US$ Shireen: I've only ever spoken to u on the phone, u don't kno us from Adam, and still u bent over backwards to help us... if only the world were filled with people like u, how much better it would be Donald and Stacy: pulled into STAND by default, all because u wanted to have a quite dinner on a Wednesday, sorry for u, but thanx anyway guys, we love u, thanx for everything u've done for us June: our mom - no matter wot, u've supported every effort, u packed hundreds of party packs, and TAKE HEART trinkets, hosted a table and were there when we cried. Thank u mom xxx Vaughn: my brother and my friend - thank u for always being there for me, thru thick and thin, for always believing in wot we're doing and bending over backwards to help. Love u bro' xxx André:PROCOMP SERVICES someone who answered an email and who is now a friend, i kno we ask u to do the impossible, which u always manage to do without complaint. I've never seen t-shirts, beanies and the like, manufactured in 3 days, but there u go... a friend always. And to André #2 who took all the pictures - thank you guys
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