Chamber holds year-end network evening

GEORGE NEWS - The George Business Chamber held its last networking evening for 2017 at Town Lodge at the Garden Route Mall.

Chamber CEO Ingrid Cronjé took the opportunity to thank all the members who contributed to the successful re-build, completion and furnishing a house for the 101-year-old Mrs Johanna Carolus from Blanco.

The George Herald reported on the handover of the house last week.

"I was proud to be part of the journey and am exceptionally grateful for the wonderful generosity of Chamber affiliates, Eden Lions and other stakeholders who supported this project and made this possible," said Cronjé.

Marius van der Colff from Super Kitchen ensured that the meals for the prisoners who did the building were prepared, Eden Lions funded the meals and also helped with items needed to furnish the house.

Avis van Rental transported items donated from the estate of the late Frik Combrink to Mrs Carolus.

Marius van Coller was the structural engineer and Keith Sharpe managed and coordinated the building project in conjunction with the Western Cape Government Human Settlement Department.

"It is also with grateful thanks to suppliers in the building industry that this project was a successful one," said Cronjé.

Newton Abrahams of ND Abrahams Inc introduces himself. He is a new member of the George Business Chamber. Photos: Alida de Beer

Eden Lions
Eden Lions President Carl van Blerk made an appeal for sponsors to contribute towards the cost of monthly rental space for a permanent facility from where the club can continue with the distribution of disaster donations.

They established a temporary facility during the Kynsna fire disaster in June this year and received hundreds of tons of donations.

Some of the people who made the construction and furnishing of Mrs Carolus's home possible, from left: Marius van Coller (engineer), Chamber chairman Dr Willie Cilliers, Chamber manager Ingrid Cronjé, Eden Lions secretary Barbara Haywood, Eden Lions chairman Carl van Blerk and Keith Sharpe from Goal Projects.

Van Blerk said goods are still being donated which continue to be distributed by the Eden Lions.

"We have to move to a permanent facility and are looking for 15 businesses or individuals who can donate R1 000 per month each towards rental for such premises."

Van Blerk assured that strict checks and balances are in place when distributing donations to ensure that items reach people who are truly in need.