GEORGE NEWS - The board and staff of Life Community Services (LCS) are elated as the organisation has managed to secure an alternative property for their operational base.
It is located in Nelson Mandela Boulevard not far from the Parkdene property where they have been serving the needy communities of George for the past 18 years.
"This is truly a Godsend," says LCS director Maryna de Vries. Their rental contract at the existing premises lapsed in mid-2018 and up until now has been an anxious time as they struggled to find alternative land. Extension of time till end July was granted by their landlord, who wants to develop the property. "We are hoping to get further extension till the end of this year, because the new property has no infrastructure or buildings and we will not be able to move now," says De Vries.
A deposit of R1-million from funds raised for the acquisition of a property was paid to secure the 10,5ha property.
Local businessman Onne Vegter, who has thrown in his weight to help LCS with their fund-raising efforts, says according to the contract, LCS has 18 months to raise the remaining R1,644-million of the purchase price of R2,644-million.
On the new property, they will be able to expand their school - that is, adding a grade each year - as well as other facilities, which is not possible at their current rental property which is half the size. To enable them to develop the property, LCS needs about
R2,5-million. "R1-million has been raised, so a further R4-million is needed in order to pay the balance for the new property, and build on it."
LCS daily feeds 1 000 children in the needy communities. Its creche, school and aftercare centre reach a further 600 children each day.
"LCS has been making a huge impact in George by educating and feeding thousands of children, reducing poverty and offering skills training in the disadvantaged communities," says Vegter.
Help from public needed
The public can help LCS in three ways to help establish their new property: by giving building materials, equipment and expertise; through cash donations; and through making an interest-free loan available. Loans will be repaid within five years.
All donations to LCS are tax deductible and will qualify for a Section 18A tax receipt, and the donor can claim 100% of the value of their contribution towards their socio-economic development B-BBEE points.
Trust account
Donations can be deposited into the following Millers trust account: LCS Property Fund, Absa Bank, branch code: 632005, account no: 1020 660 984.
"The money deposited into this account is handled completely separate from Life's operational account and there is a separate set of books for the new property project," says Vegter. "Donors must note that a loan agreement must be signed in the case of someone wanting to grant a loan, before making a deposit."
The contact person at Millers Attorneys is Salome van Wyk (salome@millers.co.za) and at Life Community Services it is Maryna de Vries (maryna@lifecommunity.co.za).
Upcoming meetings
The communities served by LCS are invited to a meeting at the existing premises at 15:00 tomorrow, Friday 5 July.
Another meeting for those who want more information on how they can assist, will be held on Thursday 11 July at 18:00 at Shofar Church in Commercial Close.
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