A therapy centre for children with special needs will soon be a reality in Stanford.
Premises will be available for The Butterfly Centre to take occupation on 1 June 2015, ampoule allowing time for painting and preparation. “We would like the official opening on the 20th of July, pharmacy which is the first day of the third school term. It is also the birthday of Samuel James Kastner, search in whose honour this centre will be opened,” says Jami Kastner.
For the second half of this year they will build up the centre, initially focusing on afternoon therapies on offer to local children. They will use this time to bring on board the necessary people, and introduce a variety of therapies. This also gives them six months to locate and enrol children (six minimum) to be first class of full-time students at the beginning of next year.
Afternoons will continue to offer a variety of therapies (ideally some which can cater to both special needs and mainstream children, encouraging acceptance and inclusion) which can bring additional income to the centre. The centre will operate on a non-profit basis, but of course will need to cover certain expenses and salaries.
Jami Kastner of Stanford Hills Estate has formed The Butterfly Foundation in honour of her son, Sam, who she tragically lost in February 2013. “We aim to help children who are not coping in the mainstream to reach their full potential in a loving environment.”
What do we need?
We have until the end of May to raise R72 000, which will cover the first six months rental and leave some extra for variable expenses.
More fundraising in those six months, as well as the Stanford Stumble at end November, will need to raise enough to cover the balance of the annual rental to end May 2016. By that time we will have a clearer picture of the scope of work the centre can offer, as well as future viability.
What we do know is that no such facility exists in the Stanford area, and that there are many children who can benefit and reach their full potential through early intervention.
Ronel and Jenny from Anima Therapy Centre have offered to help wherever they can with setting up the Butterfly centre, including sharing their curriculum with us. Jenny will help to train teachers when this becomes necessary. The two centres will also get together regularly and have special events to allow the children to interact.
The Butterfly Foundation will now operate under the auspices of Food 4 Thought community projects, a very successful and respected charity organisation in the Stanford area. We will operate under the same NPO number, with our own dedicated bank account. We will be subject to the same audit requirements as Food 4 Thought.
How can you help?
The first thing we need to do is raise money. Previous monies raised by the Butterfly Foundation have gone directly to Anima to help cover their own shortfall. They are now happy to help us go forward as promised.
- We now have our own bank account, so any direct donations would be most welcome
The Butterfly Foundation, ABSA , Hermanus, Account number 9306520181
Let us know if you need a tax certificate or similar, as donations are tax deductible.
- Our next fundraiser is the Greenkeepers Golf Day at Hermanus Golf Club on 15 May 2015. Bianca le Roux is organising it in memory of her father Raymond Burt and all proceeds will go directly to the Butterfly Foundation. We have twenty 4-balls already confirmed, with space for another ten, so please contact bianca@coastlineevents.co.za to book a spot for your friends or business.
- There will be an auction on the day, so please contact Bianca if you have something for a prize or auction item.
- Organise a small fundraiser amongst your friends. It’s amazing how much good people can do. Last year a friend Vanessa raised R6000 by asking for donations rather than presents for her birthday!
The day will soon come when we will need your help in other ways, so if you would like to volunteer your time / expertise/ physical assistance in future please send me a mail jami@stanfordhills.co.za
Thank you so much for all your love and support…I can’t wait for this next part of the journey!