SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Conducting auctions as fundraising events for charitable causes is not only a way of assisting charities to reach their financial goals, but also an excellent platform for educating the audience on how an auction works. The ClareMart Auction Group realises the importance of giving back to the community that has supported us for more than 27 years. By donating their time and skills our leading auctioneers add the unmistakable energy of an auction and entertainment value to a charitable event.  

The gala event format of charity auctions creates direct community interaction and friendly competitiveness among community leaders, this not only raise awareness levels but also seriously needed funds for charities. Non-profit organisations and charities are competing with each other for much needed resources and rely heavily on funds raised through events such as auctions. According to Smiedt, often celebrities will support a particular charity and also participate in the event. “This is exciting, because we then create a performance with great entertainment value, whilst raising money” says Smiedt.

Some of the important events we have been involved with include:  

THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TRUST
The Children's Hospital Trust is an independent charity organisation and the Fundraising Arm of the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.Our work includes the purchasing of life saving equipment, the building and upgrade of vital buildings at the Hospital as well as the development of the professional staff. As a non-profit charity organisation the Children's Hospital Trust relies on the generosity of our donors to help us. Since our inception in 1994 we proudly guarantee that 100% of all money donated to the Trust directly benefits the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.

THE NATIONAL SEA RESCUE INSTITUTE (NSRI)
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is run by 920 highly skilled, unpaid volunteers who are on standby day and night throughout the year. Donations and sponsorships cover our annual running cost of R22.5m. The volunteers save us a salary bill in excess of R230m per annum.There are 30 coastal and three inland rescue bases, a fleet of 72 rescue craft, 21 vehicles and access to a range of helicopters. We enjoy a good working relationship with other emergency services and we believe that it is through team effort that lives are saved.

THE ORGAN DONOR FOUNDATION
The Organ Donor Foundation was founded in 1988 by a group of businessmen, medical personnel involved in transplantation, transplant recipients and service organisations including Medic Alert, Lion Clubs and Round Tables to address the critical shortage of donor organs in South Africa. As the national umbrella body for the promotion of organ donation, the Organ Donor Foundation of Southern Africa is actively involved in educational and publicity programmes directed at the public and the medical profession. The Foundation also plays an important role by funding emergency flights to transport organs through its Transplant Flight for Life flight programme, established in memory of a heart transplant patient who initiated the programme in 1989. This flight programme has had a significant impact on the growth of heart and liver transplantation in particular. Since its inception, emergency flights have been organised under the auspices of the flight programme saving more than 350 lives.

THE NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
The National Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for those in need. NBCF accomplishes this mission through various initiatives. NBCF programs provide women help for today and hope for tomorrow.

THE SOLSTICE FOUNDATION
The Solstice Foundation is a volunteer based registered non-profit organisation. We aim to Brighten the Lives of those in need in the broader communities in which we live. Through our business and social networks, we can mobilise resources efficiently to tackle our chosen projects. In all of our activities we target zero administration expenses. Our patron of honour is Arch Bishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.