The Kariega and Despatch community came together in spectacular fashion recently when Harcourts UD hosted their Music Trivia evening, raising R76 211.10 for Oosterland Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC).
The successful fundraiser attracted 180 attendees and featured music trivia, live auctions, and numerous lucky draw prizes.
Speaking to UD Express on the motivation behind this donation, Charlotte Vermaak, Harcourts UD’s Principal, said they are aware of the charities doing important work within their community, and each year they make a point of choosing a different organisation to support through their fundraising efforts.
“This year, we wanted to focus our attention on Despatch specifically, and one of our team members mentioned that Oosterland Child and Youth Care Centre was in need of support. We discussed it as a team, and it was a unanimous decision to get behind Oosterland Child and Youth Care Centre,” said Vermaak.
It felt like a wonderful opportunity to make a meaningful difference right here in our own community.
The music trivia event wasn’t their first charity event. Vermaak said that their team has hosted a number of fundraisers over the years.
“Organising an event of this nature is always a big undertaking and requires a great deal of commitment, planning, and teamwork to pull off successfully,” she said.
“Our team truly rose to the occasion and did an absolutely fantastic job. We began sourcing donations for the fundraiser and sponsorships for lucky draw prizes. About two months before the event, we started marketing the Music Trivia evening and selling tickets. This year, we were thrilled to host 180 attendees.
“Our DJ from MMM Music was absolutely phenomenal. We also included fun competitions and live auctions during the evening, which added to the excitement and helped boost our fundraising efforts. Overall, it was a true team effort and such a rewarding experience seeing everyone come together for a great cause,” Vermaak shared.
“The community response was nothing short of amazing. Not only in attending the event but also in the way so many individuals and businesses contributed through donations and sponsorships of lucky draw prizes.
“Without that kind of community support, we simply wouldn’t have been able to raise such a substantial amount. Every contribution, whether it was R100 or R1000, truly made a difference; every drop fills the bucket, after all.”
Vermaak made special mention of the Harcourts Foundation and the African Pioneer Group, both of whom made generous contributions to their fundraising efforts prior to the evening.
They also had several guests who went above and beyond during the auctions, bidding generously and adding to the overall spirit of giving that made the evening so special.
She added that she believes this donation will make a meaningful impact at Oosterland Child and Youth Care Centre, as it’s an amount they wouldn’t otherwise have had access to, and she knows it will go a long way in helping to meet their day-to-day needs.
“Oosterland CYCC’s list of requirements is extensive and covers both essential and ongoing items that are vital to the well-being and care of the children. These include toiletries such as soap, toothpaste, roll-on, shampoo, and sanitary towels; cleaning materials for their seven residential houses; and general maintenance and building needs.
“They also rely on donations of school clothing and stationery, household essentials like crockery, cutlery, and towels, as well as second-hand furniture and appliances. Additionally, support in the form of sponsored professional services, from medical and dental to mechanical and electrical, is always welcomed.”
She also shared that they were very happy for the funds to be used wherever they are most needed within these areas, as all of them are critical to the daily running of the Centre and the care they provide to the children in their care.
When asked about Harcourts UD’s plans for future charity initiatives, Vermaak said, “One of our core values is ‘People First’, and it’s something we try to live out through our actions, relationships, and initiatives. Whether it’s our clients, colleagues, service providers or the community at large, we believe in putting people first and making a tangible difference in their lives.
“We most definitely plan to continue with future charity initiatives, with our next fundraiser planned for 2026. We’re already looking forward to identifying another deserving local cause to support.”
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