Individuals from across South Africa will be taking part in the largest ever day of social activism on the 18th of September 2009, not only offering help to those in need, but also empowering themselves by giving back.
Non-profit networking organisation, GreaterGood SA has challenged individuals across South Africa to take action and offer support to their communities on Do It Day.

GreaterGood SA aims to mobilise ‘Team South Africa’ and recruit a record
20 000 volunteers working on 2 000 projects this year, providing a huge range of options, so that each volunteer can find something that appeals to them.

The day is an opportunity for all South Africans, including school-goers who may be too young to vote, but who want to make a difference in their community, to make a positive impact on the people around them. Do It Day could also open the door to new possibilities and offer the opportunity to make new friends and build networks in your community.

The campaign is seen by GreaterGood SA as a powerful, symbolic tool for change that has the potential to promote sustainable, long-term relationships between volunteers and causes and transform mindsets about giving. The event, for individuals and corporates alike, promotes teamwork, offers strong motivation, demonstrates the virtue of hard work and supports good causes in communities across South Africa

To participate, individuals and groups can sign up online at doitday.co.za for a project in their area to volunteer for on the 18th of September.

Join personalities like Premier Helen Zille, popular entertainer, Nataniel, SA pop idol, Jason Hartman and head coach of Maritzburg United, Gordon Igesund, who will be rolling up their sleeves and ‘doing it.’

Organised and hosted by GreaterGood South Africa and sponsored by The Old Mutual and Nedbank Foundations, Do It Day is an annual call to action aimed at bringing awareness to South Africans that they can make a real, visible difference by participating in the upliftment of their communities.

The 1 800 non-profit organisations registered with GreaterGood SA have a wide variety of jobs that they need help with, from painting homeless shelters, to making sandwiches for the hungry and clearing alien vegetation at animal welfare societies. As South Africa gears up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, many of the Do It Day projects will have an urban greening focus. There will also be a focus on youth development, empowering disadvantaged young people through sport.

In these challenging economic times, the message of Do It Day is clear: everyone has something to give and making a difference doesn’t have to cost a cent. Do It Day is about encouraging a culture of volunteering by leveraging the huge pool of human resources that are readily available, namely, time, skills and energy, to uplift communities.

You can sign up online at doitday.co.za, or SMS ‘DO’ and your name to 33009. *SMSes are charged at R1,50. Free SMSes don’t apply.

Signing up as a volunteer is quick and easy. And if you can’t make the actual day, you can still contribute by sponsoring materials or Men on the Side of the Road to ‘do it’ on your behalf.
doitday.co.za
greatergoodsa.co.za

Notes to editors:

· GreaterGood South Africa brings good causes and committed givers together in meaningful and innovative ways to end poverty in South Africa. Through its groundbreaking website – greatergoodsa.co.za – and call-to-action campaigns, GreaterGood SA makes it easy for individuals and businesses to support registered non-profit organisations with time, skills, loyalty points, goods and money

For more information contact Roxy Mitchell, Public Relations, GreaterGood SA on (021) 762-7338.