Many of us are used to swiping our MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet loyalty cards at the checkout counter – but few of us know what it means to communities in need.

Read to Rise

Over the past 21 years, the programme has raised more than R500 million for South African schools, charities, animal and environmental causes thanks to supporters swiping their cards at participating retailers.

In celebration of its 21^st anniversary last year, the MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet loyalty programme is giving R2.1 million to 21 causes nationwide.  Supporters were invited to nominate any South African charitable organisation or school that matters to them, even if they were not yet beneficiaries of the programme.

This has enabled 21 charities and schools across the country to each win a cash donation of R100 000 to boost their good work in their communities.

Thanks to the campaign, schools and libraries will now be refurbished, Early Childhood Centres will be established and equipped, volunteer firefighters will upgrade their base, sustainable food gardens will be established, new family strengthening programmes will be initiated, children with vision problems will be receiving new spectacles and much more.

Here’s a list of the worthy recipients:

1. Arise Cape Town

2. Beacon School for LSEN

3. Bokamoso Day Care Centre

4. Brien Holden Vision Institute

5. Chic Mamas Do Care Durban

6. Lebone Village

7. Lesedi Early Childhood Development

8. Mdzananda Animal Clinic

9. Nkhabang Primary School

10. Nombulelo Secondary School

11. Nooitgedacht Primary School

12. Radha Roopsingh Primary School

13. Ramaditse Community Hope Centre

14. Read to Rise

15. Realema Teacher Intern Programme

16. Silverdale Primary School

17. Sunnyside Primary School Athlone

18. The Sprightly Seed

19. Thusanang PreSchool and Educare Centre

20. Topsy Foundation

21.Volunteer Wildfire Services

Shoppers sign up for free and can nominate up to three beneficiaries.  Every time, they shop and swipe their cards, donations are made by participating retailers on their behalf, and at no cost to them.

The funds raised through the programme enable schools and the MyVillage and MyPlanet organisations to pay their monthly bills, or even provide them with opportunities to scale up their services or start new, much-needed projects.

If you are not yet a cardholder, you can sign up for free at www.myschool.co.za and support the causes that matter to you.