The Dealer of the Year receives a financial contribution from MBSA each year to put towards a celebratory function. Our 2009 winners, Rola Motors in the Strand, had different ideas, however - and decided to donate the entire R20 000 towards a needy organisation within their community.

The recipient was Immanuel's Haven, a place of protection and love especially to abused, neglected, abandoned and hurt children. Immanuel's fosters children placed in their care by the courts until such time as they are adopted or their parents are judged sufficiently rehabilitated to take care of them again.

George and Bubbles Strangman, who run the organisation, were overwhelmed by the unexpected windfall, which will go a long way towards helping them feed, clothe and house the 21 children in their care. Not only that, but the staff at Rola also bought Christmas gifts for everyone at Immanuel's - after all, children don't care about a cheque, and since the handover was on 22 December, it was the perfect time to hand over brightly-coloured parcels containing little treats.

Each child received a set of summer clothes in their size, plus a small lucky packet. Naturally, they found the sweets and chips far more interesting than clothing!

"We decided that the money would be better spent on a charity than on a party," says Rola Motors Dealer Principal Etienne van Dyke. "We did research on the organisations in our area, because apart from this donation, we'd like to get involved on a more regular basis."

Immanuel's used to be a farm and now houses a variety of children, who come and go as the courts decide on where they should stay. There are therefore sections for the babies, younger and older children, while the outbuildings are all being changed in small ways to become a creche, a computer room, and finally, a room for the parents, as Etienne explains: "They are also planning to involve the parents more, by teaching them life skills and helping them become more self-sufficient; so there are big plans ahead for 2010!"

Now isn't that a great way to end off one year and look forward to a new year filled with possibilities?