The SA Guide-Dogs Association launches the second annual Wear Your Shades Day

The South African (SA) Guide-Dogs Association is thrilled to announce the launch of their second annual Wear Your Shades Day, taking place on Friday 18 October. This nationwide initiative aims to raise awareness and support for individuals with visual impairments while promoting the importance of eye health.

Wear Your Shades Day is more than a fundraising effort – it's a movement that encourages all South Africans to show solidarity to the visually impaired community. By participating and purchasing a R20 sticker, you’re not only helping to fund vital services but, also contributing to a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can experience freedom and independence.

“Every year, our mission is to transform the lives of approximately 800 individuals by providing them with Assistance Dogs and long cane training,” says Pieter Van Niekerk, spokesperson for the SA Guide-Dogs Association. Van Niekerk, who is visually impaired himself, and a proud Guide Dog owner explains that Wear Your Shades Day is a powerful way for the public to get involved and support their ongoing efforts to make a real difference in the lives of those living with disabilities.

Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment, and in at least 1 billion of these cases, could have been prevented through measures such as wearing sunglasses to protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Wear Your Shades Day emphasises the importance of sunglasses not just for protecting eye health, but also for helping visually impaired individuals feel more integrated and confident.

Funds raised from the campaign will directly support the SA Guide-Dogs Association’s programmes, including the breeding, raising, and training of Assistance Dogs for the visually impaired, physically disabled, and children on the Autism spectrum, as well as providing Orientation and Mobility services.

How to get involved:

• Purchase a sticker: Show your support by buying a R20 sticker. This can be done through the following channels

1.        Online – Buy your digital sticker via the SA Guide-Dogs website at http://www.guidedog.org.za as a shop item.

2.        Call – Contact one of the SA Guide-Dog offices to order your stickers. You can collect them from their offices or have them delivered.

3.        Selected resellers – Stickers are available at participating retailers including Pick n Pay, Falco Milano, Big Blue, Pet World, and BUCO Hardware.Buildware.

• Wear your shades: On 18 October, wear your coolest shades with pride, alongside your sticker, to raise awareness about visual impairment and eye health.
• Share Your Shine: The SA Guide-Dogs Association invites you to Wear Your Shades and Share Your Shine by celebrating the unique brilliance that makes each of us special, regardless of our abilities. They want to see what makes you one-of-a-kind, special, what makes you ‘shine.’

Tag @sa_guide_dogs on Wear Your Shades Day wearing your sticker and shades, using the hashtags #shadesday #shareyourshine, and stand a chance to win amazing prizes.

For more information or to get involved, visit www.guidedog.org.za or contact them at info@guidedog.org.za.