Slow Festival take charities to heart
Slow Festival takes Charity to Heart
More than ever we live in an era of legacy, a time where the disparity of wealth spurs the fortunate to assist those less so, to create a platform of assistance in desperate times. When setting up the structure of the Slow Festival™, event organiser Tumbleweeds Events chose to create something different, a festival with charity at heart.
Last year the Slow Festival managed, from five events, to raise close to R2000.00 for Animal Welfare. This year, since working to pull more events and activities into the program, the Slow Festival has grown to an impressive 32 main events and various fringe events. Even more impressive is that in 2011 there will be no less than eight charities being supported by the activities of the Slow Festival. In addition there is the charity Easter Bunny Beach Fling, a community Easter egg hunt with a difference.
In 2010 an expectation of approximately 150 children were planned for on the Beach Fling. Organisers were overwhelmed when closer to 500 children arrived for the event.
This year a donation of 1008 eggs has been received from Eden Lions and 480 eggs from Checkers George. We only hope we have enough!
From the first joint organising committee with activity organisers, it was suggested that a proportion of proceedings should be pledged to charity. The following events have pledged funds for the following community charities:
- Go Kart and Miss Slow Fest Pageant – funds for the Sedgefield Primary School
- Dog Event – funds for Animal Welfare and a spayathon in Smutsville
- Lagoon Edge Spinathon – fundraiser for the Sedgefield Christian Youth Church
- Slow Festival Charity Walk – funds to sponsor local community guides
- Lake Pleasant Living Boulle and Backgammon Tournament – funds for Sedgefield Mobile Meals
- Bridge Day – fundraiser for Marilyn Tony to compete in the Nedbank Nationals for Disabled Athletes
- Sedge Barefoot Bowls – Fundraiser for CANSA
But it is without a doubt that the most emotive recipient of funds from the Slow Festival this year will be the Du Toit family for the medical fees for their 3 year old daughter’s- Dominique- tumour operation. Roland and Kristy have pledged to donate the entire proceedings from the Paragliding Competition presented by Wind Master Paragliding to the Du Toit family, an issue close to the heart of every villager of Sedgefield.
For the rest, most of the proceeds of the 2011 Slow Festival will be used to promote our wonderful village, to plant a seed in the minds of visitors of what quality of life can and should be. So, if you wish to share in the spirit of charity this Easter, join in the activities and let you participation be part of raising funds for charity and growth for the future.
For full events program, see www.slowfestival.co.za
By Mark Dixon