A cheque for R36 500 was handed over to the Hout Bay-based Domestic Animal Rescue Group (DARG) by one of its long-time corporate donors on Saturday January 28.
This followed a lucky draw in December (“Third DARG lucky draw”, Sentinel, December 9) which was broadcast live on Facebook by Biltongmakers.com to its 49 000 followers.
This was the third year in a row that Biltongmakers.com had come on board to raise funds for the organisation, and once again the company used the occasion of the handover to reach out to its followers on the social network.
A number of DARG’s volunteer dog walkers were also in attendance, with the rescue animals showing they had no fear for the cameras.
Monies raised by the business have previously been used to erect new fencing and the concrete base of a dog run as well as the purchase of a new bakkie. This year the funds, the most raised since Biltongmakers.com came on board, will be used to upgrade DARG’s existing facilities.
“We are very happy with this year’s campaign,” said Biltongmakers.com owner Lo Krijger.
“Our winner, Kai Langhans, of Germany, has already received the industrial biltong-making machine he won in the draw, so now we will be seeing Biltong being made in Europe!”
DARG’s Ryno Engelbrecht said the organisation was delighted with the outcome of the latest fund-raising effort.
“We are so proud to have these friends who have in the last three years sponsored a dog run upgrade, our new bakkie and are now helping us with facility upgrades. The DARG team is incredibly thankful for this amazing support,” he said.
Meanwhile, DARG has received another shot in the arm in the form of well-known Cape Town yacht Shadowfax.
Yacht owner Bernard Farmer has afforded DARG an opportunity to raise funds and create awareness by renaming the vessel “DARG Shadowfax”, which will continue to challenge yachting’s best at each event on the annual calendar.
Mr Farmer’s offer comes after he and wife Ingrid adopted a cat, Harley, from the shelter in 2013.
When the couple walked into Harley’s room he decided to choose them as his new parents and he has now become the “boss of the Farmer household”.
Living on the Langebaan Golf Estate, Harley has become a permanent member of various areas. His morning routine is to go to the Gym at 5am when they open, interfering with everybody’s exercise. He also visits the estate manager’s office to check up on them.
From there he goes to the Pro Shop to make sure all have greeted him for the day. He often has a snooze on his bed in the Pro shop before he heads home for a snack and snooze. His bed in the Pro Shop may not be moved. He also loves to watch all the people unpack golf clubs in the car park.
“Harley has motivated us to support the incredible work that DARG does and we look forward to an ongoing and successful relationship to raise funds and create awareness. The DARG Shadowfax team is ready to #sailDARGstyle,” Mr Farmer said.
DARG fundraiser Debra Buys said: “Opportunities like this don’t come along every day and we are blown away by this extraordinary gesture of kindness and support. We are so excited to see DARG Shadowfax on the water and winning races”.
Companies can also get involved by sponsoring branding on the main sale and flags. For further information contact Debra Buys at dbuys@intekom.co.za.
