Carols Tree
Photo Credit: Brett Sayles from Pexels

The annual Carols by Candlelight was a digital affair this year and with over 36000 people streaming the event, R259,000 was raised for charity.

 

South Africa (09 December 2021) – For almost two decades Jacaranda FM and SPAR have produced an annual Christmas concert that features some of South Africa’s most prominent names in music. This year, the SPAR Carols by Candlelight concert attracted a whopping 36 000 live streams of the free event, uniting over 120 000 carolers from as far as the United States Of America, Canada, and Botswana for the festivities.

In its second year as a digital, live-stream event, Spar Carols by Candlelight raised a massive R259 000 in digital donations, just short of the ambitious R300 000 target set.

“We are thrilled to have raised a six-figure donation for Mzansi’s vulnerable children and to help spread the wonder and joy of Christmas music with so many people around the world.”  Says Deirdre King, Managing Director of Jacaranda FM

A-listers such as Mzansi Youth Choir, J’ Something, Refentse, The One Who Sings – Zolani Mahola, Jo Black, Kelly Khumalo, Charlize Berg, Elandré, Elvis Blue, Tarryn Lamb, and Loyiso Bala (who graciously stood in for Swing City) created a musical wonderland of never-heard-before harmonies and familiar carols to officially usher in the festive season 2021.

“What really struck me as I watched these top-tier musicians perform to an empty arena is that these professionals haven’t had the opportunity to come together on stage like this since our last Carol’s event. Similarly, a wonderful venue like Times Square Arena has been empty for the better part of two years – and yet the entire production and support staff created a world-class event we’re extremely proud of. We’ll keep finding ways to support these artists and venues through reimagined digital formats.” Adds King.

Jacaranda FM, the Good Morning Angels team, and SPAR will use the funds raised to buy toys for 2500 children from 11 homes across South Africa. This year, the beneficiaries are:

  1. SOS Children’s Village – Rustenburg Village, Northwest
  2. SOS Children’s Village – Nelspruit Village, Mpumalanga
  3. SOS Children’s Village – Pietermaritzburg Village, Kwa Zulu Natal
  4. SOS Children’s Village – Sekhukhune Social Centre, Limpopo
  5. SOS Children’s Village – Cape Town Village, Western Cape
  6. Child Welfare Tshwane, Gauteng
  7. Child Welfare Midrand, Gauteng
  8. Abraham Kriel Kinderhuis, Gauteng
  9. Look Forward Orphanage, Gauteng
  10. Juno Aurora Home, Gauteng
  11. The Hanna Charity, Gauteng

“There are many things that make this event special, our 19-year partnership with Jacaranda FM, the top-tier musicians who collaborate, the joyous time of the year – but what really makes SPAR Carols by Candlelight a beacon of goodwill – is the opportunity make sure that young girls and boys from children’s homes across South Africa feel valued and special this Christmas,” said Pieter van Vuuren, SPAR Inland Advertising and Promotions Manager

Each gift will be lovingly wrapped and personalized for each child in a two-day wrap-a-thon held at the Jacaranda FM studios this week.

“In a recent survey with our audience, 78% of Jacaranda FM listeners said they are more aware of giving back now than before the pandemic, and we can see this incredible showcase of goodwill through the generous donations we received. Thank you to every single person who joined us and especially to those who donated.” Said King.

SPAR Carols by Candlelight will be streamed again on the evening of 24 December at www.jacarandafm.com


Sources: GMA – Supplied
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Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

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