Helgard Marais, Mr. GSA Finalist 2014, hand over funds raised to Ons Huis Trust

Today was the official handover of all funds raised for Ons Huis (Home for mentally challenged children and adults) during my recent fundraising event as Mr. GSA Finalist 2014.

  “It was great to see the joy and gratefulness in which these funds raised were received. Even though this is a home for mentally challenged children and adults, the smiles on the residents faces told me that they knew exactly what transpired and with every hug I got, I was humbled by their unconditional love and support for me.”

I would like to thank again, every person who contributed to the Helgard Marais and Ons Huis fundraising raffle. After my visit this morning I can promise you that it is clear that your contribution made a difference to these mentally challenged kids and adults lives. 

Thank you, thank you!

World AIDS DAY 2013 - Message from Helgard Marais, Mr. GSA 2014 Finalist.

Today is a day we have the opportunity to take stock of our lives. Evaluate our health, sexual behavior, the health risks we may be exposing ourselves to and the potential risks we may be taking with other peoples lives.

Today I honor all of our friends that have suffered and passed on due to HIV & AIDS. Although this is not a day of celebration, I do celebrate the thousands of people who have survived this disease, their courage, strength and will to live. All of you are an inspiration and I am thankful that I can still share smiles with you each day. I wish you health and happiness today.

I also want to say thank you, to all the healthcare professionals, individuals and organisations, such as Health4Men, who dedicate their time to improving the lives of people affected and infected with HIV & AIDS.

Be responsible, use a condom and know your status.

Health4Men:

Health4Men is an organisation that provides competent sexual healthcare to men who have sex with men (MSM). At the Health4Men sites men can access free STI screening and treatment which includes HIV screening and ARV treatment. A lot of men are subjected to homoprejudice when they access public healthcare, especially when it comes to sexual health.  Health4Men works in partnership with the Department of Health to ensure that healthcare workers at carefully chosen public clinics are trained to be competent in MSM sexual healthcare and their specific needs. Health4Men is also actively involved in prevention and education by doing HIV screenings in the community, distributing lube and condoms to MSM frequented venues and disseminating educational materials.

For any sexual health related issues, contact Health4Men:

011 581 5000

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Health4Men/118812974923828?ref=br_tf

Helgard Marais, Mr. GSA Finalist 2014 - R 25 410 raised for Ons Huis Trust

I would like to thank everyone for your support, participation and contributions to my fundraising event held on 24 November 2013 in aid of Ons Huis Trust.

The event was a huge success thanks to all of you supporting this cause and my involvement as Mr. Gay South Africa Finalist for 2014.

I am very pleased to report back that, after all expenses were paid, we managed to raise an astounding nett amount of R 25 510.00!! This will be donated to Ons Huis shortly and provide much needed financial assistance for this amazing organisation looking after mentally challenged adults & children.

Special thanks to our raffle prize sponsors and congratulations to the winners:

1) 3 Tier Information Technology - Premier package Mangwanani Day spa experience valued at R 2300: Sonia Van der Merwe (Pretoria)
2) Vodashop Woodmead - Blackberry Q5 valued at R 5700: Joy van Stavel (Johannesburg)
3) The Travel Link - Flights & Accommodation for 2 to Cape Town for 2 nights to the value of R 8500: Cora Marais (Western Cape)
4) SevenC Computing - Samsung Galaxy Tab III LTE valued at R 7500 : Avy Violari (Johannesburg)
5) SevenC Computing - Samsung Galaxy Tab III 10.1" valued at R 7500: Ben Zengerink (Viljoenskroon)

Thank you to all other sponsors:
1) Mark Culverwell - Thank you for a beautiful venue provided and the huge sponsorship for all the drinks.
2) Johan Grobler - DJ and sound services
3) The Dreemz - Thank you for a FANTASTIC show and your involvement in this fundraiser!
4) Everyone else who contributed on making this event such a big success.

Look out for all the pictures of this event on my Facebook page and blog shortly. Please remember to vote for me daily.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helgard.marais.12
Blog: http://helgardmarais.blogspot.com/
Vote for Helgard Marais: http://www.mambaonline.com/2013/10/04/vote-for-mr-gsa-2013/

For all the event photos, visit my Face Book page: https://www.facebook.com/helgard.marais.12/media_set?set=a.10152106576659789.1073741833.562254788&type=3

Helgard Marais & Ons Huis Fundraising Raffle

During a recent Christmas market hosted by my charity Ons Huis in Pretoria, I decided that it was a good opportunity to support them during this event and also to draw attention to my involvement with this charity as a finalist for Mr. GSA 2014.

I booked a market spot and promoted my upcoming charity event where I would be raising funds in aid of Ons Huis Trust.

People at the market were very supportive and a lot of conservative people attended this market, it was also a great opportunity for me to introduce them to the Mr. GSA competition, what it stands for and what we do as finalists.

 
At some stages it needed fairly basic education for some people to grasp what "gay" means...hehe and it was great fun having to answer serious questions posed to me such as:
"So who is the man and who is the woman" :-)

It was great to support this cause and also have the opportunity to sell many tickets for my fundraising event, gaining more support for me as a Mr. GSA Finalist as well as for the charity, Ons Huis.

And the most rewarding part of the day was to spend some time with the some of the residents at Ons Huis. These mentally challenged adults and children amazed me with their kindness, wittiness and sense of humor...let a alone energy levels to admire!  They are an absolute volcano of joy and love. Truly humbling to to listen to some of their stories and interacting with them.

All these amazing "kids" want, is to give you love and be loved! Help me to support them! If you have not purchased your raffle tickets for the Helgard Marais & Ons Huis Fundraising Raffle to be held on 24 November 2013, Contact me now!

See previous post below for the official Fundraising invitation.

Helgard Marais, Mr. GSA Finalist 2014 help find Miss Simply Blue 2013

Helgard Marais, Mr. GSA Finalist for 2014 with the panel of judges in the search for perfection, Miss Simply Blue 2013

Helgard Marais, Nabil Ali Toudert, Mark Culverwell & Mike Ebersohn having a blast at Club Simply Blue

6 Stunning "ladies" competing for the title of Miss Simply Blue 2013

Second time round a awesome evening at Club Simply Blue. Well done to all my fellow judges as it surely was round of talent, performance, class and beauty!

A big thank you for the invitation from Club Simply Blue to be a part of this judging round and yet again providing a night of glitz, glamor, laughter and fun!

And lastly, to all the contestants - "May the best.....Woman....win!"

Helgard Marais & Ons Huis Fundraising raffle - The Dreemz performing live!

Have you purchased your raffle tickets yet? See invitation on my blog and facebook timeline. Hurry up, only 600 tickets for sale with awesome prizes to win! Contact me now!

The amazing Dreemz will be performing live during the raffle draw on 24 November 2013.

Miss K Mills is a stand up comedienne of extraordinary talent. She’ll have you in stitches from start to finish with her quick repertoire and irreverent sense of humour. A woman of the world. She has had a life littered with numerous husbands – all fallen by the wayside, but she’s still here to tell the tale.

Holly Diamond is the unmistakable ‘beauty’ of the group. Freshly botoxed she will stun you with her beauty. Some men have threatened to leave their dowdy wives for her. She has refused all advances as her ‘plumbing system’ is still not fully operational! Women envy her curvaceous figure. Something easily attainable if you visit foamworld@theplaza.com

Crystal De Kunta is the over the top sister that no family wants. Sassy, Sexy and oh so naughty, she breaks all the rules to get what she wants, to entertain you all the way to the thrilling finale!

Invitation to Helgard Marais, Mr. GSA Finalist 2014, and Ons Huis Fundraising Raffle