Johannesburg, 29 Oct 2012
International printing and imaging company Lexmark has raised over R100 000 at a golf day and gaming event for Cotlands, a non-profit community development organisation, which actively seeks to find solutions to real community problems by intervening directly within communities to build capacity in caring for children through the provision of health, education and psychosocial services.
The event was part of Lexmark's Cartridge Recycling Initiative for Babies (CRIB), and took place at the County Club Johannesburg, in Woodmead, on 2 October 2012. It was the 11th Annual CRIB Golf Day to benefit Cotlands.
"The initiative has grown in stature over the years and involves a wide range of Lexmark's corporate customers and suppliers, who continue to support our endeavours, including our annual charity golf day. It is heartwarming to see the impact this self-sustaining programme has on so many childrens' lives and the communities in which they live," comments Mark Hiller, country general manager of Lexmark South Africa.
Lexmark's long-term commitment to Cotlands started in April 2002 through the company's CRIB donations, which are generated by customers returning empty Lexmark cartridges free of charge for recycling. The donations are given in the form of "Baby Days". One Baby Day equals the cost of housing, feeding, clothing and care for one child within the Cotlands programme for one day. Over the past year, the Lexmark CRIB initiative managed to raise a total of 21 834 Baby Days, equating to a donation of R574 222, inclusive of this year's golf day.
This year, the baby sanctuary celebrated 76 years of intervening directly within communities to build capacity in caring for children. "Lexmark has been the most wonderful donor to our organisation over the past 11 years and we are so thankful for their generosity," commented executive director of Cotlands, Jackie Schoeman, on receiving a cheque from Lexmark at the prize-giving event. "We understand and appreciate the amount of work that goes into these golf days on an annual basis."
Schoeman further explained that the organisation has recently undergone some exciting and forward-thinking change in scope, which is to equip families with the skills to care for children in their own community. Driven by both experience and global research findings, Cotlands is undergoing a transition from a residential-care service supported by community-based care, to a community-focused service backed up by residential care.
Since 2002, Lexmark has donated a total of 87 031 Baby Days to Cotlands, equating to a donation of R4 522 991 and managed to keep over 200 tons of empty cartridges out of South Africa's landfills.
Companies and individuals interested in participating in Lexmark's recycle initiative can visit www.lexmark.co.za/recycle, or www.cotlands.org for more on Cotlands' activities and ways to help.
Share