Knysna local charities receive the pearls from the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival

Monday, 26 August, 2013
Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival
Between 2007 and 2012, Knysna local charities received more than R7 million in donations from the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival. And that figure has grown as the donation amounts of 2013 have been finalised.
"This has always been a community festival," explained Festival Manager Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt. "The festival brings welcome economic relief during the quiet winter months but, even more important, it provides invaluable financial support to local non-profit organisations, allowing them to keep their doors open."
 
In 2007 the festival distributed R1 025 137 to local charities. This amount soared throughout the years, bringing the total charitable contribution of the 2012 festival to R1 460 408. "We knew that it would be difficult to better this amount in 2013," said Nicci. "But we did. With final figures in, the 2013 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival raised R1 715 693 for local charities!"
 
The two events that traditionally contribute the most to local charities are the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour and the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon and Half Marathon. "In 2012 these events donated a combined R1 090 942 to various local charities. This year the combined total reached a staggering R1 241 000. While Rotary reports that their events raised R550 000, the forest marathon raised R 691 000."
 
Money raised by the cycle tour supports a variety of charities throughout the year, including projects like e-Pap, community soup kitchens and tertiary educational bursaries for local students. The forest marathon supports organisations like Loeriehof Home for the Aged, Vermont Old Aged Home, the Red Cross, Knysna Child Welfare, Die Werkswinkel, Knysna Bambanani's, the Sea Scouts, local schools and Athletics South Western District Development events.
 
Other charities that will benefit this year include Animal Welfare, Knysna/Sedgefield Hospice, Dorothy Broster Children's Home, the Knysna NSRI and the Knysna Sport School. "And these contributions really make a difference," said Nicci.
 
"It is obvious that the Pick n Pay Knysna Festival means a lot to Knysna," Nicci concluded. "Not only did the 2013 festival contribute over R66-million to the local economy, but the donations made to local charities ensure that the people of Knysna who need it most are looked after."