MySchool to include social and environmental causes

Now the South African retailer has announced that the reach of this successful program has now been widened to include selected charities and environmental organisations with the launch of MyVillage and MyPlanet.

Says Pieter Twine, who heads the MySchool project for the retail chain, “The contributions we made thanks to our customers over the past four years have made an enormous difference to schools around South Africa. Now, with their help, we're planning to make an even bigger difference – not just to education, but to the world around us – through the expansion of this incredibly successful initiative.”

MyVillage will focus on selected charities – including the Amy Biehl Foundation, the South African National Council for the Blind, and I Care – while MyPlanet will support a number of environmental organisations, such as The Wildlife Foundation, the National Horse Trust and the SPCA. More charities and organisations are being added to the list of beneficiaries, from which MyVillage and MyPlanet supporters can choose.

Explains Twine, “The launch of the two new programs is in line with our good business journey, announced earlier this year by our CEO Simon Susman, and further underscores our commitment to driving social development, tackling environmental issues and helping animals in need. It also allows community-minded customers, customers without children and customers whose children have finished school to help us make a difference.”

Customers who are not yet MySchool supporters can start supporting the cause of their choice simply by joining MySchool or by applying for a Woolworths Difference Card, which also gives them access to other exciting benefits as part of the chain's ‘world of difference' loyalty program. The Difference card is free and everyone qualifies. Customers who are already MySchool supporters can add one or more MyVillage MyPlanet beneficiaries to their existing profile by phoning MySchool on 0860 10 04 45.

As long as your card is linked to the program, says Twine, “Every time you swipe your card at one of our stores – whether it's a Woolworths store card, Visa card, Difference card or blue MySchool card – we will donate up to one percent of the value of your purchase to the charity of your choice.”

Twine adds, “MySchool supporters who have a blue “MySchool” card can also use their card at other MySchool partner retailers in order to maximise the contributions made on their behalf.”