An Evening on the Red Carpet for Fundraising

The fourth annual "Give Me a Chance" Children’s Foundation gala dinner took place on 30 October at the beautiful Zorgvliet Wine Estate in the Banhoek Valley. The atmosphere was electric as the guests arrived receiving a red carpet welcome. The fundraising event included a mouth-watering three-course dinner prepared by Smoke Cuisine, part of the Aleit Group. The ever-popular Zinkplaat band sponsored a guest performance to get the crowd into a festive mood.

The “Give Me a Chance” Trust Fund was started in October 2005 by the owners of Alluvia Specialist Winery & Guesthouse, Delarey and Sandie Brugman, in an effort to support young learners from the Kylemore and Stellenbosch communities. In 2008, the trust fund underwent a name change to the “Give me a Chance” Children’s Foundation. This American-accented go-getter implemented two successful golf days, one in Stellenbosch and another in Vereeniging, to boost the fund. Seven of the nine promising learners are from the Kylemore Secondary School. Grade 7 learner Brandon Smith and 6th-grader Shannon Langeveldt from Stellenbosch Primary are the two latest beneficiaries to have joined the program. These nine dynamic students were selected based on their academic and sporting abilities as well as attitude. All proceeds go directly towards tuition fees, school uniforms, sports gear, equipment and books. The program also provides these students with additional support through mentorship programs for career guidance and personal development.

Hand-selected wines from top wineries such as Alluvia’s ilka and Give Me a Chance, Zorgvliet, Clouds, Tokara, Thelema and Knorhoek were served during the evening. The MC of the evening and auctioneer, Tiny van Rensburg, provided for plenty of entertainment through-out the evening. Eighteen spectacular auction items went under the hammer, including an autographed copy of wine writer Neil Pendock’s Sour Grapes accompanied by a selection of his preferred wines from the Swartland, the complete collection of limited edition William Kentridge wines, a 5-litre 1989 Chateau Libertas 60th Anniversary vintage and other exclusive wines, an exquisite women’s pampering package, including a spa package at The Hydro Stellenbosch, jewellery from Jade Jewellery and a 1 year subscription from Sarie, a commissioned Kylemore landscape painting by local artist Téresa Rabie as well as a wide range of accommodation packages, which include accommodation at the luxurious world-renowned 5-Star Ellerman House above Cape Town’s Bantry Bay. The "Give me a Chance" dinner managed to raise a heart-warming R131 300.

"Give Me a Chance" has been truly blessed this year with an immense amount of support from previous as well as new sponsors. In difficult economic times such as these, it is inspiring and gratifying to see that our supporters still find the capacity to help those less fortunate. The funds raised this year are a significant contribution to the Foundation and will allow ‘Give Me a Chance’ to maintain sponsorship of their nine accomplished students as well as adopt new students for the 2010 school year. We thank all who attended the event and our generous sponsors for their support!” commented Berchulski.

Delarey Brugman proudly announced that the “Give Me a Chance” Children’s Foundation has become a franchise. Okkert Brits, a close friend of the family, will now represent the Foundation in Port Elizabeth.

For further information on Alluvia visit www.alluvia.co.za, for further information on the 'Give Me A Chance' Children’s Foundation visit www.givemeachance.co.za