Festival gives back to community
GRAAFF-REINET — It’s no secret the Karoo-lus Festival was a huge success this year, but their charity work often goes unnoticed.
The annual community festival is not-forprofit and has raised hundreds of thousands for local charities over the years.
One of the organisers, Bronwen Jacobs, marketing officer at Montego Pet Nutrition, said giving back to the community was a huge part of the Karoo-lus ethos.
“When we started the festival first and foremost we wanted it to be a fun weekend for the town’s residents and secondly we wanted to make a positive impact on our local community,” she said.
“Local charities and schools are encouraged to each host a fun activity during the Festival weekend, by doing so not only do they get the word out there about their organisation, but they also share in the festival’s profit,” said Jacobs.
This year Karoo-lus raised R235 000 for local charities and schools.
The recipients of which are:
ACVV Huis van de Graaff is receiving R15 000 for their Recycle Fashion Show hosted during Karoo-lus;
The Biggs Primêr will be presented with R15 000 for hosting a volleyball tournament;
The Community Sterilization Initiative will receive R15 000 for hosting a dog show;
R15 000 will be donated toward the Pink Trees for Pauline Graaff-reinet initiative for their contribution in organising the Koekedoortjies competition;
Rapportryers Graaff-reinet hosted a Kouples Karoo-lus competition for which they will be receiving R15 000;
WE Pienaar Pre-primêr is the recipient of R15 000 for having hosted the Wilde Woeste Wedloop;
Let’s Play will receive R15 000 for organising the tug-of-war competition and;
The Tinkerbell Day Care Centre - in charge of the kiddies tent at Karoo-lus - will receive R15 000 for their efforts.
Additionally, an amount of R5 000 has been earmarked for special projects being done at the Daniel Pienaar Technical High School in Uitenhage while Narsingstraat Primary School will be receiving R70 000 towards their hostel project.
The bar in the beer tent was managed by Hoër Volkskool throughout the weekend. As a reward for their stellar efforts, they will be receiving an amount of R20 000, while R20 000 will also be donated to the Botanics Sports Grounds for having hosted the festival.
Any schools or charity organisations hoping to become a part of Karoo-lus 2018 can contact Bronwen Jacobs on 049 891 0825 or e-mail bronwen@montego.co.za