KAS FINANCES - URGENT APPEAL
APPEAL FOR DISTRIBUTION FUNDS
Ronda has been in touch to let us know her concerns regarding the lack of funds in the KAS bank account. Ronda urgently requires funds to be able to carry out the winter distributions to the children, these distributions are due to start within the next few weeks before the weather becomes too cold.
Here is a message direct from Ronda;
“Sadly the flood was costly in terms of cleaning costs and re-organising the office so that nothing stands on the floor, ie. bringing in a whole bunch of shipping pallets etc. Not to mention room and fabric sprays to help with the appalling smell of damp wool which seemed not to go away despite our running all the room fans for two solid weeks!!!
In Rand terms it costs us between R30,000 and R35,000 per month to run KAS. That would be approximately $2600 or £2100 at current exchange rates. We have been receiving between $800 - $1500 via PAYPAL for many months now, so have eaten into our reserves each month. We have approximately 12 regularly monthly donors The bank account it is the lowest it has been in many years ”
As you can see there is a huge shortfall each month between the amount of money it takes to run KAS and the amount Ronda receives via PayPal donations. Today we are launching an appeal on behalf of Ronda to raise urgently needed distribution funds. Without these funds KAS cannot complete its wonderful work.
YOU CAN HELP BY:
- Making a purchase from the KAS shop. There are numerous options to choose from with prices starting from $5.
The KAS Shop is a direct donation to a child through Knit-a-Square.
- By making a one off donation through PayPal (please use the button on the right side of the forum pages)
- By setting up a monthly subscription to KAS. Subscriptions start from $5 each month. (please use the subscribe button on the right side of the forum pages)
Don't have Paypal - You can still help
If you don't have paypal you can still contribute. The follow moderators are able to collect cheques payments and forward these to Ronda.
Helen Flagg (USA)
Bev Jeffery ( Australia )
Louise Tidman (UK)
Please leave you details on the discussion below or contact the Mod to arrange this.
Going forward...... What can we do ?
As some of our older forum members will be aware, we have had to request for funds previously. Since moving into rental premises, KAS outgoings have increased, but so has KAS and it is not practical or realistic for KAS to be run from Ronda's home. Unfortunately grants are not easily obtainable. Ronda and her team are doing their best to try and win these and also search for cheaper premises. But both are not easy tasks.
Can you imagine what a relief it would be to Ronda and her team if we could all sign up to a monthly donation of $5,this would give her the stability. KAS operates on a shoestring budget and not a penny is wasted. Every penny really counts.
Look at how many forum member we have and if we all gave $5 dollars a month just imagine how many children Ronda could help and the security it would give KAS to keep going. So please ,please , please can you consider doing this.
We all know that KAS really does make a difference on the ground to these children.KAS Supplied blankets to 6000 children last year.
And finally .....
If any forum members have any ideas to help raise funds these would be welcomed by the Moderators. Please share on the discussion below or contact a moderator directly.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and your support. Together we can help and make a difference to these children's lives.
Replies
Note from Ronda:
Our Gogo groups have been great this year – our book is up to date and we only have some 300 blankets out in the groups, either still being stitched together or awaiting collection and payment by us. They will need to wait until next year now, but will be contacted in the meantime to make sure our figures are correct and they are happy.
It was POURING with rain on Tuesday and we thought better of driving the van on slippery roads. It goes very well still, but does tend to skid when the brake is applied on wet roads, despite the fact that the tyres are still in good condition.
So our plans to visit the outstanding Gogo groups went awry !
Our new driver, Thomas, is a universal favorite – the most DELIGHTFUL young man, always helpful and most interested in everything that goes on at KAS !!! We all love him. I am sure Leanne will do a nice interview with him next year – we just pray that he will stick around with us !
The total number of blankets distributed this year came to 5545 … approximately 400 fewer than last year which is a pleasant surprise considering the number of distributions we had to forego because of service delivery protests in the informal settlement areas which are increasingly under-provided and desperate. Sadly the protests invariably end up becoming violent so it is not sensible to get mixed up in them, even Sowetans themselves. Coincidentally, on several occasions they were rioting in the very areas we had listed to visit !!
On the whole it has been another great year for KAS and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for ALL you do to keep us going on every level … on behalf of 5545 little darlings who are warmer than before.
Blessings of the season to you all
With love from all of us at KAS SA
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Lovely, 5545 is a fantastic number. I do hope that the unrest there settles soon and some distributions can take place. Sounds like the people in that area are quite desperate, hence the people there are probably becoming violent at the lack of assistance they need.
I really believe the adage 'It takes a village to raise a child' applies here in a slightly different way. In our case it takes a large team of volunteers to help those in need. From those of us who do the knitting/crocheting, to the volunteers who sort, sew and deliver the items.
Well done to everyone for a great year (2017) and lets hope for an even better one in 2018.
Thank you for taking the time to update us. I am glad you are all being sensible about dangerous road conditions and civil unrest. I pray that 2018 will be a more settled year.
What a fab total !!! An amazing commitment to the children, in sometimes trying conditions.
Thank you for this, Ronda! It's nice to know that you have reliable help ... for as long as they can stay with you :) Not so good to know that distributions need to be cancelled or postponed because of clashes, but it is only sensible not to wade into it. Hopefully the children in those areas will eventually be reached.
5,545 warmer 'little darlings' has a lovely ring, doesn't it! Thank you and ((HUGS))l to the Gogos and to all the volunteers who gather, unpack, sort, sew, repack, and distribute our work! Together we are a great team :) xo
Thank you Ronda 5545 has a lovely ring to it especially when it means 5545 children ! You have done well getting together so many distributions, in spite of the difficulties that you encounter.
To celebrate Christmas I wish to double my monthly donation from $5 to $10. How do I do this? Do I just make another one for $5? xx
Thank you so much Roz. What a lovely gesture for Christmas. The best way is to cancel your $5 and create a new subscription for $10. xx
Message received and understood, many thanks.....xx
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