I did it for cats and dogs last year – along with a not-so-hairy band of colleagues who also cleaned out cat potties and had their legs walked off by dogs at the SPCA.

Other DMIsters chose to ‘do’ old age homes or educare at children’s centres. Our team
should have won a prize for being the dirtiest and smelliest – and fluffiest. As the washing powder says, ‘dirt is good’ ... and to that maxim we add: especially when it’s for a good cause.

Do It Day is a Greater Good SA initiative and is a valuable opportunity for all not-for-profit
organisations to harness the skills, energy and passion of ordinary South Africans. Use this excellent initiative to get willing helpers to do whatever it is you need to get done – whether it’s painting a room, holding a hand, reading to children, exercising pets or
sharing skills.

Do It like this
Step 1: Identify your needs. Think about the essential skills gaps in your organisation as well as ‘sweatequity’ projects. If you need help identifying your needs, e-mail
belinda@ggsa.co.za and she can give you some ideas to get you started.

Step 2: Submit your proposal now. Submit your proposal online at www.doitday.co.za or download the application form and email it to belinda@ggsa.co.za or fax it to
021 762 7065.

Your project should involve volunteer skills and/or labour. If you need materials to make it
happen, your budget must not exceed R4 000.

Ideas for volunteer projects include:
• River, beach or park clean-up.
• Share sports skills with youth.
• Read to or make art with children at an early learning centre.
• Have a tea party at a home for the elderly.
• Ask a plumber to fix leaks at your residential facility.
• Create a food garden for a school, home or community.
• Build or refurbish a playground.
• General painting, landscaping and maintenance.
• Comfort children awaiting surgery or the elderly at hospices and homes.
• Plant trees.

Whatever it is – get it done!

If not, now’s the time to prepare for Do It Day – on 18 September – and get volunteers to do something for your charity. The DMI team ‘did it’ for various NGOs last year, writes Marisol Gutierrez – and plans to do it again in September.