Most of us would agree that there’s nothing more rewarding than a little retail therapy. With a MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card, a fundraising initiative that was launched in association with Woolworths, you can do something good for the South African Guide-Dog Association for the Blind (SAGA) while indulging yourself at the same time. MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet supports many organisations including SAGA, which was founded in 1953 and has to date trained over 1,250 dogs: approximately 75% of which are guide dogs and 25% service dogs. Guide dogs assist with guiding and helping the blind while service dogs are physical extensions of their owners; their purpose being to carry out a variety of basic tasks bringing independence to a person with a physical disability. In order to continue providing these essential services, SAGA, in association with MySchool and Woolworths, is putting out an extra call for supporters to sign up for a MySchool card to help raise much needed funds. Every time you swipe your MySchool card at Woolworths, or if you have your Woolworths store charge card, VISA card or Difference card linked to MySchool, Woolworths will donate up to one percent of the value of your purchase to SAGA, provided you have selected them as the charity of your choice. “SAGA aims to assist blind and disabled South Africans achieve independence both personally and professionally by teaming them up with dogs that have been thoroughly trained to meet their individual requirements. This takes expertise, time and money to achieve,” says Pieter van Niekerk, public relations manager for SAGA. “Even if you are already a MySchool supporter, donating to a school or another cause, you can add SAGA as a second beneficiary so that every time you shop you give something back to more than one organisation. You can also use your card at other MySchool partner retailers in order to maximise the contributions made on your behalf.” The MyVillage fundraising initiative was launched in partnership with Woolworths for organisations that focus on the improvement and protection of the environment and animals organisations. According to Pieter Twine, who heads up the project for Woolworths, broadening the scope of beneficiaries has given other community-minded customers – those who do not have children or whose children have finished school – the opportunity to support worthy causes every time they shop with Woolworths and their partner retailers. “South Africans have a long and proud history of helping one another,” says Twine. By swiping your MyVillage card, you can easily contribute to SAGA and other similar organisations such as the NSRI, the Amy Biehl Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. If you wish to activate your MyVillage card or sign up as a MyVillage supporter, log on to www.myschool.co.za or call 0860 10 04 45. ENDS

Most of us would agree that there’s nothing more rewarding than a little retail therapy.