By Lone Lourens | Marketing and Fundraising Manager
Advancing Sustainability Through Solar Energy
Our solar energy initiative marks a transformative step toward long-term sustainability, energy independence, and operational resilience. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors, we successfully installed a R2.5 million, 150 kW three-phase solar energy system with 120 kWh of battery storage. This cutting-edge system now powers the upper section of our building — including the Laundry and Nursing Departments, two of our highest energy-consuming areas.
Installation began in July and was officially completed and switched on Monday, 11 August. We are optimistic that the savings generated will allow us to redirect more resources toward the care, development, and wellbeing of our residents.
Further contributions this year made it possible to expand our system even more. A donation enabled us to purchase 12 additional batteries, increasing our storage to 180 kWh. Another generous donation of R190,000 in November will allow us to add extra panels and fittings to optimise the system’s output. These upgrades bring us closer to achieving full sustainability and reducing our reliance on the grid.
While Phase One is now complete, our long-term vision remains ambitious: to generate enough power to run our entire property. We are currently awaiting a detailed report outlining the remaining work and costs. Once the system is fully calibrated and our exact power requirements confirmed, we will be able to determine funding needs for Phase Two. Although we anticipate that the next phase will be costly, we remain hopeful. Even if we do not secure the full amount from one donor, we are committed to scaling the project as funding becomes available.
Key Progress Highlights
Expanding the 500 Club Lottery
The 500 Club continues to be an important fundraising pillar for Woodside Sanctuary. This year, a renewed membership drive in March saw encouraging progress:
Growing our 500 Club will remain a key priority in 2026. While we are proud of the strides made so far, we are still working toward our long-term goal of 2,000 members — a milestone that would generate over R1 million annually. Achieving this will significantly reduce our funding deficit and strengthen our ability to support our residents and essential programmes.
Website Rebuild Progress
Our long-awaited website rebuild is well underway thanks to three dedicated volunteers from ForGood, who are generously developing it pro bono. With weekly project meetings ensuring steady progress, the new WordPress-based site will offer improved functionality, modern design, and in-house content management flexibility. We are hopeful that it will launch early in the new year, marking a major step forward for our digital presence.
Security Improvements
Over the past few years, we have prioritised both infrastructure upgrades and improved security for the protection of our residents and staff. Last year, with donor support, we replaced a deteriorated fence with a full perimeter wall and cleared surrounding overgrowth to improve visibility.
This year, we continued our efforts by installing new palisade fencing and enhancing our security further with electric fencing. These improvements ensure that Woodside remains a secure, safe environment for all who call it home.
Junior Marketing Coordinator Update
The arrival of Balungile Memani as Junior Marketing Coordinator last October brought renewed vibrancy to our communications. Her creativity helped expand our social media reach, allowing more people to connect with the stories and lives of our residents. Although Balungile recently left Woodside for an exciting new opportunity, we remain incredibly proud of her achievements and wish her every success. She will always be part of the Woodside family.
We are also delighted to welcome Mpho Oliphant, who joined us in October 2025 as our new Junior Marketing Coordinator. We look forward to the fresh energy, passion, and ideas she will bring to our communications, social media presence and advocacy efforts.
Special Events and Celebrations
This year marked a remarkable milestone — 70 years of providing a loving, dignified, and compassionate home to individuals with profound intellectual and physical disabilities. For seven decades, we have remained a place of safety, hope, and belonging. We are deeply grateful to our staff, families, volunteers, and supporters who have carried our mission forward with unwavering dedication.
Heritage Day at Woodside is always a joyful celebration of the cultures, traditions, and histories that make South Africa so beautifully diverse. Staff dressed in traditional attire and enjoyed a day of unity, pride, and tradition — a treasured wellness initiative that honours our cultural richness.
On 6 December, we warmly welcomed families to spend meaningful time with their loved ones. They explored our stimulation departments, participated in activities our residents enjoy, and ended the day with a heartfelt outdoor family picnic. We are incredibly grateful to all the families who joined us for this special event of joy, connection, and memory-making.
Christmas at Woodside is a time of magic, joy, and gratitude. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, we are able to give each of our residents a meaningful gift and create special experiences for our dedicated staff.
We have already hosted one staff Christmas function, and on 10 December we will hold our second, which will also include our Long Service Awards — a moment to honour the extraordinary dedication of our team.
Our residents’ Christmas celebration will take place on 12 December, made possible through the overwhelming kindness of our supporters. Residents will enjoy gifts from “Santa,” as well as delightful entertainment from balloon and face artists. This celebration is one of the happiest and most eagerly anticipated days at Woodside.
In Closing
To our incredible GlobalGiving community: thank you. Your compassion, generosity, and unwavering belief in our mission make everything we do possible. Because of you, our residents experience dignity, joy, safety, and the highest standards of loving care.
As we reflect on a year filled with progress, celebration, and hope, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May this festive season be filled with peace, joy, and togetherness — and may the new year bring renewed strength and shared purpose.
From our Woodside family to yours, thank you for walking this journey with us.
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