Casual Day ambassador Bernadette Rigney has challenged all employees of city metros all over the country to participate in Casual Day by wearing their sticker and stepping out in style. As the former Transformation and Disability Awareness Officer, City of Johannesburg, she is now campaigning for the advancement for the rights of persons with disabilities.
Bernadette has a rare condition called Arthrogryposis, which affects the joints and limits the range of motion in her hands and legs. She has launched fAbility, a company which shares innovative ideas and technology to assist and improve the lifestyles of persons with physical disabilities. “With all eyes on us, we may as well keep it fabulous!” she says.
“Casual Day is a fun way to raise funds for persons with disabilities. Funds raised from sticker donations provide material relief to persons with disabilities,” says Bernadette. “It’s so easy and convenient to participate – all promotional material is supplied free-of-charge. It’s your chance to create a fun event in the office and boost morale.”
Casual Day is on Friday 5 September this year and this year the theme is Bring out the Bling.
By getting all the metros countrywide to participate, Rigney hopes to unite all the employees of the various cities to raise much-needed funds. “Disability can be sudden and devastating – and can touch any of us at any moment. R10 is a small donation to make, especially when you know it will really make a difference. If nobody reaches out, nobody can be touched. Be the person who reaches out,” she says.
You can wear something that you will never otherwise be allowed to go out the front door in – like your ball gown, evening dress, top hat and tails, beads, headband, high heals, tiara, crown or rapper-style chain. Or you can just wear a LOT of stickers, like ten or even twenty! The Casual Day shirt and cap is also an option.
Then you need to record your fabulousness with your camera or cellphone and send it out on the social networks via Twitter using @CasualDay_SA and #BringouttheBling
Casual Day is South Africa’s most successful fundraising project for persons with disabilities – and the amount raised for last year has climbed to R24.8 million. Sponsored by The Edcon Group, Casual Day is the flagship project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA), which this year celebrates 75 years of service to the community of persons with disabilities.
The funds are raised as a result of a R10 donation for a Casual Day sticker. Casual Day provides the country with the opportunity to show their solidarity with persons with disabilities, at the same time enjoying teambuilding and camaraderie with their colleagues. It gives South Africans the opportunity to be creative and have fun while contributing to the betterment of society. It is community spirit in action.
Bring out the Bling and dazzle for disability in 2014. And most importantly… WEAR YOUR STICKER!
Celebrating 20 years of service to you. Persons with disabilities … at the centre of ALL WE DO.
The beneficiaries of Casual Day funds are:
National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in SA
South African National Council for the Blind
South African Federation for Mental Health
Deaf Federation of South Africa
Autism South Africa
Down Syndrome South Africa
National Association for Persons with Cerebral Palsy
South African National Deaf Association
National Institute for the Deaf
Alzheimer’s South Africa
South African Disability Alliance
QuadPara Association of South Africa.
Concludes Vinassa: “This year we celebrate Casual Day’s 20th birthday and invite everyone to help us celebrate the work of all our beneficiaries which are committed to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.”
Remember, remember Casual Day is on Friday 5th September.
Stickers are available from:
Edgars, Jet, JetMart, Boardmans, CNA, Red Square and Legit;
Absa outlets;
Game and DionWired stores;
Shoprite and Checkers stores; and
Casual Day national office on 011 609 7006.
FB: www.facebook.com/casualdaySA
Twitter: @CasualDay_SA
#BringouttheBling
#CasualDaySA