If you’re the bossman or woman of your company and you wish to do some good for the community you can take part in Little Eden Society’s seventh annual CEO Wheelchair Campaign.
Little Eden is a lifetime home for individuals with profound intellectual and physical disabilities. The organisation runs two establishments, in Edenvale and Bapsfontein, housing up to 300 residents.
Cost per resident
CEO Xelda Rohrbeck says it costs R14 160 per month to house and care for a resident. This means Little Eden must raise R61 million per year to provide the quality care needed.
March is designated as Intellectual Disability Awareness Month, so the wheelchair campaign takes centre-stage for Little Eden, which aims to raise R1,5 million as a result.
Wheelchairs are an important part of life for Little Eden residents. 64% of residents rely on their chairs for mobility in their daily affairs.
The campaign runs through the month of March, Intellectual Disability Awareness Month.
Many people are not aware that profound intellectual disability almost always occurs concomitantly with physical and other limitations, such as are experienced by Little Eden residents.
Calling all CEOs
The campaign seeks to recruit CEOs to sign up and spend a day at work or home office in a wheelchair during the month of March. This is coupled with a financial donation of R55 000 (for big companies) or R35 000 (for SMEs) to Little Eden.
Participants who are unable to spend a workday in a wheelchair may support the campaign through a financial donation and advocacy.
CEOs can challenge other CEOs to participate in the campaign.
CEOs are invited to share their experience and provide actions and or suggestions on what their organisation can do to be more inclusive of those relying on mobility devices and with profound intellectual disability.
To participate you should:
- Contact Little Eden’s development officer Nadine Mason – nm@littleeden.org.za
- Donate R55 000 (R35 000 FOR smaller enterprises) to Little Eden
- Challenge other CEOs or business leaders to participate
- Share a write-up about your day in the wheelchair with pictures or videos to be published on Little Eden’s social media pages and website.
- Participating companies will gain tax and BBBEE benefits and additionally will make a lasting contribution to improving the lives of one of the most vulnerable members of society – children and adults with profound intellectual disability.
For more information: Public Relations and Communications Co-Ordinator Gaahele Mokgoro on 011 609 7246 or email pro@littleeden.org.za or visit www.littleeden.org.za