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GEORGE NEWS - This past week we were reminded what it truly means to be part of a community, what a community can achieve when we stand together and how awesome the community of George is!

Facebook reaction
It started with a Facebook post reaching out to the community for help on the popular community Facebook group, Georgiete Staan Saam. Marelize Stones of the insurance provider dotsure.co.za (a product of Oakhurst), which organises and hosts the Polar Bear Plunge event, reached out to the community, desperately requesting assistance with displaying posters and banners advertising the annual community charity event.

The post generated an immense reaction from the community, with various companies, schools and even individuals pledging their assistance.

"I was truly overwhelmed by the response and willingness of the community to come to our aid when all other avenues seemed to have reached a dead end," says Stones. "I even had a lovely lady, Kiets Cat, reach out to me saying that she'll display the poster in her car window. How amazing is that?"

On Friday, Stones started visiting all the local businesses that had pledged their assistance to hand out the advertising material. On route she received a call from the municipal offices informing her that, considering that this is a community event in aid of charity and uplifting the community, they would grant special permission for dotsure.co.za to display their advertising on municipal ground.

"I was completely blown away. Friday the 13th carries a certain stigma, but mine was filled with endless blessings and wonderful surprises. Not only did I get to meet awesome people while delivering the posters, but was shown that our local government really does care about the upliftment of our community," says Stones.

Grateful
David Roache, managing director of dotsure.co.za, thanks every business, school and individual that reached out to the project.

"We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for opening your hearts to us. We'd also like to thank the local municipality for granting us special permission to display our advertising and supporting this event," he says.

"We invite everyone to come down to Vic Bay on 28 July from 10:00 and get behind the Polar Bear Plunge the only way the Garden Route knows how! If you're not crazy enough to brave the icy winter waves, there'll be loads more entertainment. There will be a kiddies corner, a host of local charity stalls and even a former 5FM DJ (Catherine Grenfell) entertaining us with some great tunes!

"We have no doubt that we'll reach our target of collecting 1 000 blankets for the less fortunate people and pets in our community with the amazing people of George so firmly behind this event!"

Details
Pick n Pay at PreCap Centre on Courtney Street has kindly set up a drop-off / collection point within the shop. Those who are unable to make their way to Vic Bay on the 28th, are urged to drop off any spare blankets they no longer need. Some of the beneficiaries of these blankets include Thanda Jesu, Rotary Club of George, George Child and Family Welfare, AACL and the Garden Route SPCA.

Festivities will kick off at 10:00 on 28 July at Victoria Bay. There will be no entry fee - a blanket donation is all that's asked. Head on over to the dotsure.co.za Polar Bear Plunge 2018 events page on Facebook, where you can register to take the plunge or just to spectate.

For more info, contact dotsure.co.za at polarbear@dotsure.co.za. On your marks, get wet, Plunge!

Many thanks
dotsure.co.za extends special thanks to: 

• Jetline George, 
• Blitsdruk George, 
• Cat Signs, 
• Hiremax George, 
• Melisse Van Dyk, 
• Ilse Jonker, 
• Flair World, 
• Christine Vorster, 
• Vorsters Coffee, 
• Siobhan Schreuder, 
• Beans About Coffee, 
• Ladies and Lads, 
• Chevonne Emslie, 
• Shear Illusion Hairstudio, 
• Erica Menton, 
• Michaelle de Villiers, 
• Aifa, Tfasa, 
• LA Sport, 
• Great Impressions, 
• The Coffee Bean, 
• Pressed In Time, 
• Ace Models George, 
• Terry's Auto Clinic, 
• Ritechem, 
• Body Mind Soul, 
• Eden Montessori Pre-Primary and Elementary School, 
• Tasha Smith, 
• TEX Motorcycles, 
• George Arts Theatre, 
• Caroline Moss, 
• Kids Emporium George, 
• Sue-Nita's Cards and Books, 
• Boerevintage Decor and Gifts, 
• ISP Group, 
• 2nd Baby's, 
• Getafix Garden Café, 
• Wilderness Hotel, 
• Bugs Daycare, 
• Millers Attorneys, 
• Optima Electronics, 
• Eden Meander, 
• Sonskynland, 
• George Connect, 
• Pieter Niemand, 
• Georgiete Staan Saam, 
• Pick n Pay, 
• The Blind Pig, 
• Southern Cape Compressed Air, 
• Wholesale Cars & Motor Scrap Yard, 
• Finesse Hair Design, 
• Kiets Cat, 
• Badisa George, 
• Freshstop On York, 
• Let's Rent, 
• McDonald's George, 
• McDonald's Garden Route Mall, 
• Inspire Day Spa, 
• Phone & Fax, 
• Corné du Plessis Burroughs, 
• Belcomec George, 
• Lavender Lady, 
• Blanco Fish and Chips, 
• George Methodist Church, 
• Mujo Bar & Restaurant, 
• George Eta Campus, 
• Doggy Style, 
• Stylz Hair And Beauty.

We apologise if we have neglected to mention any other contributors.

Read a previous article: It's polar bear plunge time again!

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