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UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS: WATCH THIS SPACE FOR DATES AND DETAILS...
March: Community Awareness Outreach – Human Rights Day
June: Community Awareness Outreach – Youth Day
August: Orion’s Purple Shoelace Fun Race & Orion’s Pink Ball Golf Day (Women’s Month)
September: Arbour Day
November: Annual Fundraising Gala event
December: International AIDS Day & International Day for Disabled
 
NEWSLETTER
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support, prayers, referrals and having us in your thoughts. Though 2009 has been very challenging, specifically with regard to fundraising for operational costs, we are very proud to still have you on board.

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THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
The new friendly voice on the switchboard telephone belongs to 24 year old Marcelino McGregor, who joined Team Orion recently. Marcelino will also assist the social worker with her administrative tasks. But this is not the first time for Marcelino at Orion – when he was 3 years old, his parents placed him at our Wilge Special Day Care Centre to help him to overcome the challenges associated with being a person born with cerebral palsy. He thrived at Wilge, and at the age of 7 he could join a mainstream school in Atlantis. He completed his senior secondary school years at Eros. Welcome back, Marcelino – you make us proud!
   
FREEK ROBINSON (SABC 2 TV) VISITS ORION
Great excitement was in the air when Orion was visited by the television crew of Freek Robinson. Orion was chosen as the first in a series of “Focus Cares” programmes. The specific objective of this programme was to discuss the detrimental effects of the worldwide economic recession on Non Profit Organisations. We received many phone calls and messages of encouragement after the programme was broadcasted on 06 September 2009, and we can only hope that enough awareness was raised for people to get more involved.
   
COMMUNITY AWARENESS DAY
On Friday, 28 August 2009, Orion reached out to the community by means of marching to the centre of town, lead by our own “Sun Coons” from Activity Centre. Apart from having fun and raising awareness about the organisation and the special people in our care, the purpose was also to encourage the people of Atlantis who fall prey and struggle as a result of the high unemployment rate, alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, gangsters, etc. Everybody gathered at the Nelson Mandela Square, where Radio Atlantis joined Orion to lead the Praise and Worship. It was a touching moment when a large circle was formed as a symbol of standing together against crime and violence by means of the men tying their ties and the ladies their scarves together. Atlantis has huge potential, and Orion wants to play a key role in unlocking positive energy in the community.
   


LADIES HIGH TEA
In order to end off Women’s Month on a high note, a High Tea was held at the Dollies Conference Centre in Atlantis, in aid of our Wilge Special Day Care Centre. The event highlighted Orion’s appreciation for the ladies of Atlantis and surrounds who are faced with the tragic impact of widespread alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, abandoned children coupled with the results of the current high unemployment rate.

The event also created an ideal opportunity for networking for the women from different congregations and organizations.

The ladies were entertained by well-known professional singers, May Abrahamse & Friends (Ronnie Baatjes, Val Johnson, Pat Domingo and Shaun Smith). Thank you to all the staff for their hard work to make this day a success, and to all the guests who supported this fundraising event.

Lydia Goldswain was the guest speaker, who shared her drive and motivation to swim the English channel for the third time this year. Lydia is spastic diaplegic, but does not allow this physical challenge to stop her to live her dreams.

Lydia plans to tackle the cold Atlantic waves later during this year, when swimming 3 times between Bloubergstrand and Robben Island in one go, in order to raise funds for Orion. She is a true inspiration to us all. You go, girl!
   


KHANYI DHLOMO VISITS ORION
On 2 September Orion was visited by our new SA Patron, Khanyi Dhlomo. She said she was overwhelmed and emotional during her visit to Orion where she was received by a group of some 60 singing and dancing children. “Ubuntu, the principle of compassion, consideration and mutual respect is not nearly practiced widely enough in South Africa when it comes to the disabled. In fact, much more could be done to encourage the wealthy to use their success and resources to enhance the lives of needy members of communities such as the disabled. In spite of their disabilities, the one thing these children all have is an enormous capacity to love, and it’s what they need in return. For me, this love is the common thread that binds us all, no matter who or where you are. If you are starved of love, you fail to thrive as a human being.”

Khanyi appealed to our fellow citizens to make a difference. “Often, the disabled are treated in a way that suggests they have no self-worth. We need to keep in mind that they are complete and valuable human beings.”
   


ORION’S IDOLS
Who said its only a country who can have an Idol?? Orion has TWO!!

Our PRO, Priscilla Cloete, launched her first gospel CD, “Born to Worship”, earlier this year, and we are proud of her. She dedicated this CD to her mother who inspired and motivated her to use her talents to touch people’s lives in a meaningful way.

Then there is 11 year old Brent Samson, who suffered abuse since he was six months old, sustaining many broken bones. He has been in foster care since and will soon be undergoing a hip transplant as a result of the abuse suffered.

Brent has been attending the Wilge Special Day Care Centre for children with disabilities at Orion for many years, and is making excellent progress. He became the star soloist of Wilge’s choir and enjoys being in the spotlight.
   

CASUAL DAY & MY LIFE PROJECT OUTREACH
On 4 September it was Casual Day. The management team decided to do something different this year. We visited the “My Life” project in the centre of Cape Town. This project is run by a group of volunteers who present a variety of special rehabilitation programmes for street children who are exposed to alcohol and drug abuse, child prostitution, neglect and abuse by adults.
   
NEWSFLASH: ORION’S SMS LINE
Please help us to help ourselves. Your contribution will make a positive difference to those who are less fortunate
than us!! Sms “orion” to 38976 at R10 each.
   
NEWSFLASH – GALA – SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2009
Make your booking now!! Join us at this year’s fundraising gala which will be held at the Pigalle Restaurant, Green Point. Theme: Reach for the Stars. Dress code: Black & Bling. Cost: R1000 per person or book a table for 10 at R9000, including a delicious 3-course meal, drinks and excellent entertainment. Our Master of Ceremonies is well-known stand-up comedian and radio presenter, Ryan O’Connor, KFM Breakfast leader. Entertainment will be provided by Brandon October. Our guest speaker is the award-winner editor of Destiny magazines and MD of Ndalo Media, as well as former head of South African tourism in Paris, Khanyi Dhlomo. Khayni is also the newly appointed SA patron for Orion.

Related: News Archive
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