Donations flooding in for Knysna & Plett

NATIONAL NEWS - Funds and donations have been pouring into Knysna and Plettenberg Bay – so much so that it is difficult to keep up with the generosity of not only locals, but from people in Gauteng, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Hermanus and other places.

Plettenberg Bay disaster fund

Bitou mayor Peter Lobese and Nedbank SA have set up a disaster fund for those affected by Plettenberg Bay's fire. “I am hereby making a call on all South Africans as individuals and/or organisations to help our victims. We in Bitou braced ourselves for a flooding disaster, yet we were hit by fire," Lobese said.

He added that the community of Bitou has shown "great support towards fellow residents throughout this stressful situation".

"The community thereby brought the Bitou municipal vision – 'To be the best together' – to life.

“As the mayor of this town I am hereby making a friendly request to persons or businesses to donate items to victims of the Bitou fire.”

Items that are needed include nonperishable food, toiletries, blankets, clothes and water.

Items can be delivered to the Methodist Church hall based at Muller Street off Marine Drive. Another drop-off point is the old Edgars shop at the Market Square shopping centre. So far, the generosity of people giving to these drop-off areas has been overwhelming and continues to be.

Any financial donations can be made to the Bitou Fire Victims Disaster Relief Fund. Lobese committed to make the first deposit of R50 000 and this will be matched by Nedbank SA.

Banking details:
To: Emergency Fund, Nedbank acc nr 114 793 1046, Universal Branch, international donations NEDSZAJJ
* For more information regarding donations, contact Bitou JOC on 044-533-5000.

Massive fundraising for Knysna

To Knysna locals, our sympathy goes out to those who have lost homes in this disaster. Nothing prepares one for something like this, however the love, care and support emanating from every heart in this town is tangible.

To the 24 (that we have counted thus far) accommodation establishments that have been destroyed or partially destroyed, we will walk the long path ahead with you.

Through an initiative with Knysna & Partners, World Sport and Pick n Pay Oyster Festival, resources will be deployed in support of the emergency services.

One 20mx20m marquee and two 10mx10m marquees will be erected for the emergency services. Personnel will be deployed to assist in coordination for the relief that will be coming in from Pick n Pay support systems that include people being able to donate from anywhere in the world.

Planning this newsletter has been challenging based on the fact that specials and what to do and when to do it is not a priority during a disaster. We have, however, included some content for trade to take note of and more importantly, we reiterate the lines of communication, drop off points and official communication paths.

Official donation accounts:
• To: Emergency Fund, Nedbank acc nr 1147 920 699, reference KNYSNAFIRE

International donations: NEDSZAJJ

• To: Eden District municipality, Standard Bank acc nr 401 719 790, reference KNYSNAFIRE, international donations SBZAZAJJ

• Drop-off points for resources are communicated on the official Knysna Fire Facebook page.

• Please download the Knysna app by clicking: knysna.comunity.me/ where you will receive live updates and communications relevant to your suburb.

Drop-off points

With donations of supplies pouring into the Greater Knysna, it is important to know where you can go if you need anything and also where to drop off your donations.

Another important thing to remember is that the Knysna municipality needs your feedback in order to address residents' issues.

Below is a list of receiving and dispatching points, and the places and times of municipal feedback meetings that will be held around Knysna today, Tuesday, June 13.

Receiving and dispatching points:

Old Main Building Basement, Spring Street, Knysna: ALL types of donations
Checkers, 2nd floor parking area, Knysna Village Square, 38 Rawson Street, Knysna: Reserved for Gift of the Givers
Kloppers basement, 54 Main Road, Knysna: ALL types of donations
Woodmill Walk, 15 Long St, Knysna Central, Knysna: BULK donations
Supply drop-off points:
Knysna Vineyard Church, 23 Bokmakierie Street, Old Place, Knysna
Chris Nissen Hall, White Location
St George's Anglican Church, Main Rd, Knysna

Shelters:

Chris Hani Community Hall, Isonqayi Street, Knysna
Hornlee civic centre, Hornlee, Knysna

Registration and collection points:
From Wednesday, June 14, there will be no registration or collection points in Knysna Town or CBD.

Residents are encouraged to go to the relevant collection points in their own wards, as follows:

Concordia High School from 13:00
Khayalethu Hall from 11:00
Chris Hani Hall from 11:00
Hornlee Hall from 11:00
Karatara Hall from 11:00
Sedgefield Municipal Office, from 11:00The Vineyard will continue to assist town and Western Areas.

Reporting damaged property:According to the municipality any resident who has been affected by the Knysna wind or fire can go to Town Hall (municipal finance building), Clyde Street to report anything from damage to property to the loss of their jobs. The Relief Management Team will capture all details onto the official database to process.

SANPARKS will also be assessing loss in and around town.

With this data the municipality can then ensure that the correct resources or assistance is sent to the correct persons or area.

The municipality also encouraged residents to watch the Knysna municipality Facebook page for changes or updates to the above mentioned places or procedures.

Click here for a photo gallery.

Maria von Tonder manages the drop-off point in the basement of Kloppers. The generosity of the Knysna community and those from afar was incredible to see. As goods come in, Van Tonder assigns them to a collection point.