“Christmas is a time of giving and, unfortunately, it is also a time when unscrupulous people try to take advantage of people’s generosity,” said Kathy Jooste, CEO for the Avril Elizabeth Home for the Mentally Handicapped.<\/p>\n
Jooste said her concern was based on reports reaching the home that there were people posing as representatives of the Avril Elizabeth Home and collecting funds in its name.<\/p>
The home has always had a strict regime of fund collection and people fund-raising for it are given written permission to do so.<\/p>\n
The home does not approve and, therefore, does not give permission to “fund-raisers” who accost people in parking lots or shopping centres.<\/p>
“We do, however, have people who sell Avril Elizabeth Home button badges in some shopping centres,” Jooste added.<\/p>\n
“They will always be seated at a table and will have identification and information from the home.”<\/p>\n
There are also fund-raisers who approach companies and the public on Avril Elizabeth’s behalf, but they carry identification that clearly marks them as the home’s representatives.<\/p>\n
In addition, Teddy collection tins are visibly marked with the Avril Elizabeth teddy bear logo, and with the organisation’s non-profit organisation number and contact details.<\/p>\n
“Please do not contribute to tins that are not clearly marked as Avril Elizabeth Home Teddy Tins,” Jooste said.<\/p>\n
If you are at all in doubt about the documentation of a person approaching you for funding, or about a Teddy Tin, itself, please feel free to call us; we will investigate the matter immediately.”<\/p>\n
For more ways on how to donate, or to find out more about the Avril Elizabeth Home, visit their website on www.avril.org.za, or contact them on 011 822-2233.<\/p>\n