Fundraising
Why do we raise funds?
Merryvale is a school for severely intellectually disabled and ASD learners. We aim to empower our learners holistically, helping them reach their full potential to become meaningful members of society. To accomplish this, we provide a safe, warm, and nurturing environment. Each learner receives individualised care and education tailored to their needs, pace and abilities.
It is an educational haven for 401 multi-cultural, multi-racial, severely intellectually disabled (SID) learners and learners on the autism spectrum (ASD). Our demographics are 43% black, 38% coloured, and 19% white, 1% Indian, aged 6 to 21.
Achieving our goal comes with significant costs. As you can imagine, equipping our school with the essential equipment and managing daily operational expenses is quite expensive, which leads us to frequently engage in fundraising efforts and seek financial support.
Merryvale is a government school that provides small classroom sizes and a range of therapists to cater to the diverse needs of each student. Most classes have an average teacher-to-student ratio of 1 to 12, with some classes even smaller.
Fundraising Events
Annual Fundraising School Events
Merryvale School organises regular fundraising events throughout the year to support its operational needs. These events often involve the school community, including learners, parents, staff, and local supporters. Examples of these events might include:
- Charity Auctions
- Fun Runs or Sports Days
- Concerts or Talent shows (Merryvale’s got Talent)
- Market Day
How do fundraisers benefit the school?
Improved Facilities and Resources
Donations help the school purchase or upgrade important educational resources, such as specialised teaching materials, sensory equipment, or classroom technology.
Access to Therapy and Support
Services equipment: Special needs schools often require significant financial investment in therapy services (such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and remedial education). Donations can ensure these services are accessible to all learners and that we are able to purchase the equipment/material/resources necessary to improve these services.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Contributions may go toward providing scholarships or financial aid to families who may not be able to afford the full cost of education for their children with special needs.
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Fundraising efforts can support enrichment activities that enhance learners’ experiences beyond the classroom, such as sports teams, field trips, or cultural events.
Other Forms of Sponsorships Received
Corporate Sponsorships
Merryvale actively seeks corporate sponsorships and partnerships with businesses in the local and broader communities. Companies that sponsor the school often contribute financial resources, goods, or services in exchange for visibility and positive community engagement. This support may be used to fund specific programmes, such as therapy services, extra-curricular activities, or the improvement of school facilities.
Donations and Pledges
The school also seeks donations from the public and individuals. These donations can take the form of one-time contributions or ongoing pledges. Contributions may be directed to specific initiatives or used more broadly to support the overall mission of the school.
This includes:
Cash donations
for general needs or specific projects
In-kind donations
such as educational materials, equipment, or even volunteer hours
How to get involved
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