Lorge reaches out to GDA in sponsorship

Lorge extends a helping hand.


Johannesburg, 07 Mar 2018

Business management and intelligence solutions company Lorge hasn't only earned its title as a seasoned "industry titan" due to its long list of prominent national and international clientele, but also due to notable community involvement.

Giving back to the community is a distinctive and identifiable part of Lorge since its humble establishment in 1986. Now, as preferred service provider to hundreds of companies, its team of experts offer IT infrastructure, software development and business solutions across all economic sectors.

With over three decades of award-winning achievements under its belt, Lorge has also successfully implemented over 10 000 users across various business enterprises. Despite what many analysts call mammoth success, as alluded to above, Lorge is on a constant lookout for worthy causes. It is this quest that has led to an association with the Guide Dog Association (GDA). Since 2013, Lorge has partnered to help the GDA, and in doing so, has hoped to help it fulfil its mission and spread its message more effectively, all while inspiring other businesses to also do their bit.

While the company lends a helping hand to various organisations that are in need and making a positive impact on society, Lorge is especially proud to be associated with the GDA due to its specialised and challenging role.

More about GDA

Founded in 1953 by Gladys Evans, the Guide Dog Association has become a name that everyone is familiar with. At the time, Evans rented a temporary training centre with her dog Sheena and called it the Gladys Evans Training Centre. Today, the expansive 11-acre property boasts all the facilities necessary to train guide dogs and their vision-impaired owners. Guide dogs are not only available for visually impaired people, but also for those who are physically disabled or have autism.

Most of these dogs are bred at the Gladys Evans Training Centre and are placed at volunteer homes from the age of seven weeks. This is where they are taught about socialising and are house-trained. Two-thirds of these dogs will go on to become guide dogs, autism support dogs or used for breeding. The remaining one-third who do not qualify due to health or temperament reasons will go on to stay with their volunteer families as pets. The GDA also provides autism support dogs to children affected by autism. They further provide orientation and mobility services to visually impaired people via their College of Orientation and Mobility. This service does not include dogs, but rather the long white cane used as a walking aid and functional tool for the blind. The GDA is helping those in despair and bringing immense joy and hope to their families, by helping affected individuals become more positively contributing members of society.

What did Lorge do?

Lorge wanted to donate all of the company's old furniture to a worthy cause when it moved offices from Woodmead to Midrand. Since the GDA had been a genuinely grateful organisation when furniture had been donated in the past, the company chose to also give it an exclusive boardroom table, which it certainly had great use for. The GDA was elated, very co-operative and even made arrangements to fetch the table from the Lorge offices. Lorge has also assisted the GDA financially over the past five years, often with monthly contributions. The GDA has used this furniture to not only upgrade its existing work space, but also conveniently complement its training and student offices.

Carlien Thomson, Lorge's CFO, commented simply and very aptly that Lorge "likes to be partners with people that make a difference in so many lives".

Lorge also serves to use these examples to showcase how small acts of kindness can make an incredible difference, and thus encourage other businesses - small or large - to play a part in making a difference within their communities too. After receiving the table, the GDA sent a heartfelt appreciation e-mail, thanking Lorge for its donation, and even showed Lorge how the boardroom table had been utilised at its offices.

Juliette Powell, GDA Head of Marketing, said: "GDA is proud to be associated with Lorge and its employees, as they support us on several levels with kind generosity. This is a perfect example of how a company can take hands with GDA so that we jointly make a difference in people's lives on a daily basis." She also went on to say: "Our clients are very dear and special to us, and we know that their well-being and success in living their own dreams mean a lot to Lorge too."

Lorge - help is ongoing

Lorge has been assisting the GDA for about five years. It has sponsored the Gauteng Golf Days since 2016 and also makes monthly donations to the organisation. This enables the GDA to allocate reserves needed for expanding and continuing its valuable services on all levels. The GDA went on to say the contributions have made it possible to help the blind and people struggling with autism to get the necessary help and become more productive members of society. The GDA ultimately provides independence and mobility to its clients, and this is undoubtedly a priceless gift. The Autism Support Families have the pleasure of a new friend, being the trained dog that helps bring out talents in children who were deemed 'challenged'. Lorge and its employees live by the principle of making a difference, which has been truly inspirational to staff and volunteers of the GDA alike.

A last word

In 2016, Lorge's contributions totalled about R50 000 in value to the GDA. Thomson went on to say: "Hopefully, they will receive other donations and grants to continue their great work. The reason we do press releases is so that other companies can follow us and donate as well."

Lorge extends a challenge to all other thriving businesses to give back to the community and help out where they can, especially with organisations like the GDA, which is making a real difference in the lives of people.

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