Raising funds for community enterprises
Palace Group supports and initiates projects of sustainable development, skills transfer and empowerment of communities in which we operate.
The 2012 Golf Day Fundraiser, in its 3rd year, recorded some significant milestones. One of these was the co-option of MTN SA Foundation as a co-title sponsor as well as the above sixty golf players who turned up for this worthy cause. It was also refreshing and encouraging to have several well-known brands take up various sponsorship opportunities A full list is found on the website:www.golfguys.co.za/golfdays/palacegroup
The funds raised were for the benefit of Best Buys Bakery (Pty) Ltd, a community based enterprise that is owned by the Alexandra Child Care and Support Centre (a registered NPO). The ACCSC and Palace Group, go way back to 2008 when the Group launched an internal giving-back initiative, aptly called “Pass it on”. Through this internal employee supported campaign, clothes and toiletries were periodically donated to the children who are receiving support from the centre.
Palace Group saw an opportunity to extend their involvement in the area of Alexandra, through a business enterprise led by some members from within the community in close proximity to where the ACCSC is located.
At the bakery currently, six parents and guardians are employed. Profits that have been recorded from the golf day in 2012 (in excess of ten thousand rand) shall be utilised towards skills development for the employees at the bakery. We are cognisant of the further need to pull more partners in helping this business to grow and sustain itself beyond our involvement. Thus we welcome and in fact, encourage any willing organisation to contribute to this viable community business.
| YEAR | CONTRIBUTION DESCRIPTION AND PROGRESS |
| 2009 |
Palace Group raised more than ten thousand profits from the auction. This was a closed event limited to customers of the Group only |
| 2010 |
We managed to increase attendance, with that, our contribution led to the decision to begin a stakeholder engagement exercise with funds raised from the golf event, and in addition, the Group spent a portion from our CSR allocation, to do an assessment on the best project for the identified beneficiaries. |
| 2011 |
Although the event was not held due to a strategic review, Palace Group committed one hundred and forty thousand rand (140,000) towards the set up costs of the bakery business. Siyabonga Africa, also an NPO, was selected to provide the equipment and conduct training. Twelve people received training during this period. |
| 2012 |
The event, now open to all golfers, not only the Group’s customers and associates, records the best attendance and secures good sponsors. We have decided to train the new employees with profits from the event, as well as donate some money from our Foundation account to assist in the bakery’s fund-raising drive to buy a bakkie. |
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PALACE GROUP SINCE 2009: Above R 280,000 towards the set-up, support of the Bakery enterprise
The 2013 Event is taking place at the same venue, Houghton Golf Club on 4th September 2013.
Visit the event website: www.golfguys.co.za/golfdays/palacegroup for more details on how to sign up.