Gran Kaz launches Community Outreach programmes with volunteer activities at the SSPCA

Throughout the month of July, Gran Kaz staff members will be volunteering at the SSPCA every Saturday. This is part of their new initiative – Community Outreach programmes. PR and Communications Manager at Gran Kaz, Ms. Shama Amesbury, explains to us a little bit the idea behind this.

“This year with so much going on, having been closed for such a long time and not really having the revenue to put into CSR activities like we have done in previous years, we thought a great way for us to continue giving back to the community is through these outreach programmes. These are all volunteering activities that we propose to our staff, and let them choose to participate in based on causes they feel strongly about. These activities,, of course will vary throughout the year, touching on all areas within which we can give back – social, environmental, health etc. we think that this is a fantastic way for us to get back to grassroots giving whilst also providing staff with great team building opportunities.”

Ms. Amesbury explains that although they have had activities scheduled throughout the year, many of these have had to be postponed due to COVID and gathering restrictions.

“It’s been a little tough to get this initiative off the ground, we had plans for activities earlier in the year that we had to cancel or postpone, and even with this one now, due to restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather for activities/events we have had to find ways to work around them. Where there is a will there is a way – we cannot come in large groups, so we broke it down into small groups and decided to spread it out over the whole month.”

Ms. Amesbury also took the opportunity to do a ceremonial handover of a donation of SCR 10,000 to the SSPCA.

“The SSPCA like many other non-profit organisations rely heavily on donor funds in order to do the work they do, and with the current economic situation a lot of companies that previously assisted cannot afford to do so anymore. We also struggle to find the funds, but what we can manage we are still happy to give. Just because the CSR tax has been abolished doesn’t stop us from still supporting those causes that we feel strongly about.” Says Ms Amesbury

The SSPCA is constantly in need of donations, financial as well as in kind. They need food, toys and other items for the animals at the shelter. Not least of all they need volunteers, people willing to come and donate their time and attention. Ms Amesbury says she strongly urges anyone who has ever thought about volunteering with the SSPCA to do so.

“It’s a wonderful experience. There are so many different ways that you can help, you can even bring your children with you, it’s a fantastic way to teach them about kindness and generosity as well as responsibility, not to mention the pure joy of spending a few hours surrounded by fur babies – its definitely something I will be doing more often, and I urge anyone else you has even a few hours to give, to get in touch with the SSPCA, they are so grateful for all the help they can get.