A record 7 000 people visited the festival. At the gala evening there were 1 200 people in the audience at Steve Hofmeyr's performance." We are pleased that we can plough back R50 000 directly into local charities," said Outeniqua Primary School Head, Johan Smit, last week during a handing over ceremony.
Smit emphasised that the festival had become a popular fixture on the town's event calendar and was being staged with a dual benefit. "A fixed amount is earmarked every year for the less advantaged in the community."
At the ceremony hosted on Wednesday at the George Civic Centre, local charities received much-appreciated equipment and furniture bought with the festival proceeds. This year, eight deserving organisations were singled out. They were: Bethesda's "Wikkelwurms Development Programme"; Heavenly Haven; Badisa; Life Community Services (Educational equipment for their new pre-school, Happy Feet); Phambili Refuge Home and 'Pink trees for Pauline' (Cansa fundraising project); Grade 8 Tennis Development and Up with Downs.
The festival proceeds are also used to ensure that Outeniqua Primary School's classrooms are all electronically linked for e-schooling (chalk and blackboard have become outdated).
At the handover ceremony, which included a buffet dinner, hosted by the George Municipality and the Vodacom George Cheese Festival, sponsors were thanked for their on-going support. They included Vodacom Shop George, Vodacom, EOH, Sportscentre, George Municipality, Grade 8 Tennis and the George Herald.
One of the beneficiaries - Heavenly Haven's Jolindy Dreyer - said (after the event), "The embroidery machine donated to us is going to make a huge difference in our handcraft workshop.We can now sew a bigger variety and more sophisticated handmade articles, which we will be selling at the 'Pink Market' and other outlets. We are truly overjoyed."
Committee member Jacques Theunissen said this week, "The upcountry festival visitors bring a much-needed cash injection into the local economy, which has a positive ripple effect bringing with it an immeasurable benefit to the whole community in terms of employment. It may not be tangible but it has to be recognised by those that are quick to criticise the George Municipality's support of festivals and events."
Gideon Hugo (left) of the Vodacom Shop George, the main sponsor of the George Cheese Festival, and Benita Milton(extreme right), CEO and organiser of the cheese festival, hand over the lounge furniture voucher to Maryda Squire of Phambili Shelter for Battered Women on Thursday.
Gideon Hugo (left) of the Vodacom Shop George, the main sponsor of the George Cheese Festival, and Benita Milton(extreme right), CEO and organiser of the cheese festival, hand over the lounge furniture voucher to Maryda Squire of Phambili Shelter for Battered Women on Thursday.
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