Latest News
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
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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.
Click here to view the newsletter |
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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! |
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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.
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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. |
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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! |
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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.” |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Related: News Archive |
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