The organisers of the fundraising initiative, Casual Day, have announced that Edcon has come on board as the main sponsor this year – for a period of three years.
Casual Day is the flagship project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities (NCPPDSA), a not-for-profit organisation mandated to improve education, inclusivity, accessibility and social integration for persons with disabilities.
Casual Day has raised over R170 million for disability organisations since its inception 18 years ago. Edcon has committed to a three-year contract as principal sponsor, with the aim of raising R6 million in sticker donations at all Edcon stores and in addition, to contribute R11 million towards the project over the period.
“As we kickstart our 2013 campaign, we welcome Edcon on board as our principal sponsor,” says NCPPDSA Chairman, Mr Brian Sweetlove. “Our sponsors are the lifeblood of Casual Day, which raises essential funds to enable the NCPPDSA, its benefiaries and participating entities to create a barrier-free society in which persons with disabilities can fully participate.”
The funds are raised as a result of a R10 donation for a Casual Day sticker. Says Therina Wentzel, National Director of NCPPDSA, “Edcon is a perfect fit for Casual Day as the project encourages the people of South Africa to go to work dressed differently on the first Friday in September every year. It is a fun project and allows everyone to make a contribution. We would like to extend a huge thank you to Edcon and the staff of all Edcon stores, who helped to make Casual Day a runaway success last year and we look forward to working with them again this year.”
Corporate social investment is an integral part of Edcon’s transformation strategy. Dr Urin Ferndale, chief operating officer and executive director at Edcon explains, “Over the past seven years Edcon has been a supporter of the annual Casual Day campaign and this entailed being essentially, a reseller of Casual Day stickers. This year Edcon has committed to fund the project for another three years where it will continue to act as a caring corporate citizen in an effort to make a meaningful difference to the disability community.”
Edcon’s involvement comes by way of the company’s mission to share wealth for positive change in the quality of life of people in areas in which it trades. Ms Mercia Maserumule, Edcon Group CSI Manager, “We are very excited to be more involved with this project, which is vital to the survival of many of South Africa’s organisations providing services to persons with disabilities. Casual Day aligns strongly with Edcon’s broader corporate social investment strategy and gives us the opportunity to contribute to the lives of a very vulnerable sector of the community.”
This year Casual Day takes place on September 6, 2013, and stickers can be purchased at all Edcon stores, which include the following brands: 
, and many other outlets. The funds are distributed to the following six national beneficiaries:
The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in SA (NCPPDSA); Epilepsy SA; SA National Council for the Blind; SA Federation for Mental Health; the Deaf Federation of SA (Deafsa); and Disabled People South Africa (DPSA).
If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with anybody mentioned, please call Celeste Vinassa on 011 452 2774 or [email protected]
Casual Day is a project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in SA (NCPPDSA). begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting www.ncppdsa.co.za
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