On Thursday, 8 May 2025, a successful and unforgettable charity dinner was held in the atmospheric Beursgebouw in Eindhoven, organised by Stichting Amy Nederland. The evening aimed to raise funds for the Amy Foundation—an organisation dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa, through the provision of meals, shelter, and targeted training.
Guests were welcomed with a glass of Graham Beck MCC Brut, the same sparkling wine served at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela and the victory celebration of Barack Obama. The festively decorated tables also featured two bottles of Steenberg Blanc de Blanc MCC, each with a ribbon attached to a helium balloon. By cutting the ribbon, guests could purchase a bottle in support of the cause.
Once seated, attendees were treated to a culinary spectacle, with a specially curated menu that honoured the rich and diverse flavours of South African cuisine. The carefully selected wines from Wijnhuis Eindhoven perfectly complemented the culinary experience. The dinner concluded with coffee and exclusive chocolates, generously sponsored by Friandries from Tilburg.
The evening’s musical backdrop was provided by the live band Kwart over Jazz, whose jazzy American Songbook repertoire created a warm and relaxed atmosphere. A highlight of the evening was the charity auction, where, thanks to the generosity of numerous donors, exclusive items went under the hammer. With a full house and an uplifting atmosphere, the evening proved to be a heartfelt success, touching the hearts of all in attendance.
Under the watchful eyes of enthusiastic guests, Alger Vissers, Chairman of Stichting Amy Nederland, presented a cheque with the impressive final auction amount to Kevin Chaplin, Managing Director of the Amy Foundation South Africa. The auction alone raised an astounding €7,765—equivalent to over R155,000 at the current exchange rate. The full proceeds from both the auction and the evening’s activities will go directly towards the vital work of the Amy Foundation in South Africa. The final total amount raised will be announced during the Amy Foundation’s gala dinner in Cape Town in November.
“This evening exceeded all expectations,” said Alger Vissers. “The generosity of those present is heartwarming and will make an enormous difference in the lives of young people in South Africa. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this success.”
Kevin Chaplin, Managing Director of the Amy Foundation South Africa, was deeply moved by the support and generosity. “This amount will enable us to continue our work and give even more young people a chance at a better future. We are enormously grateful to Stichting Amy Nederland, all the guests, and the donors for their contribution.”
Chairman Alger Vissers and Kevin Chaplin also extended heartfelt thanks to the kitchen and serving staff, who volunteered their time to prepare and serve the meal. Notably, the serving staff wore halter aprons handmade in the Amy Foundation’s sewing workshop in Cape Town.
The success of this charity dinner has whetted the appetite for more. Stichting Amy Nederland is already looking forward to hosting future events in support of the important mission of the Amy Foundation.
Photo Credit : The photos taken during the event were generously provided by: Erik de Brouwer, Eye Catch, Eindhoven
Alger Vissers, chairman
Herman Matheij, secretary/ auctioneer
Kevin Chaplin, Managing Director Amy Foundation
About Stichting Amy Nederland
Stichting Amy Nederland (www.stichtingamynederland.nl) was founded to raise funds in support of various projects of the Amy Foundation in South Africa, such as:
Improving the living conditions of young people in the Gugulethu, Khayelitsha and surrounding townships of Cape Town.
Providing as many resources as possible to offer meals, after-school care, and vocational training to young people from the aforementioned townships who need this help the most.
About the Amy Foundation South Africa
The Amy Foundation (www.amyfoundation.co.za) offers after-school programmes to young people in the townships of South Africa, intending to stimulate their personal development and increase their chances for a better future.
Note to Editors (Not for Publication)
For more information and/ or additional visual material, please contact:
Alger Vissers MSc (Chairman), phone +31 6 5546688, avissers@onsnet.nu
Herman Matheij MBA (Secretary), phone +31 6 51743857, hermanmatheij@gmail.com
