Santa Shoebox turns 20 with urgent local appeal

REGIONAL NEWS - For 20 years now, more than 1.5 million children from across South Africa, including those in Knysna, Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay, have benefitted from the Santa Shoebox Project - an initiative that has brought smiles, cheers, laughter and love through something as simple as a creatively wrapped gift pledged by kind-hearted Samaritans from all walks of life.

Yet thousands of children in the Southern Cape are still waiting for their names to be picked and for someone to make their Christmas a little brighter.

Twenty years on, one would think an initiative with such calibre and influence would thrive, but unfortunately, the three above-mentioned towns are not near their benchmark percentages.

The organisation is appealing to the public to make pledges throughout October. So far, 50% of the required pledges have been made, but more than 42 000 children across South Africa are still hoping they will not be forgotten.

In the Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay has fulfilled only 11% of its pledges, while Sedgefield is on 35% and Knysna on 36%.

In Plettenberg Bay alone, 10 local schools have applied for Santa Shoeboxes this year, representing 796 children.

Local co-ordinator Deanne Roberts, who is marking her 10th year in the role, said nearly 9 500 Santa Shoeboxes have been distributed in Plett since she started.

The campaign is particularly significant this year as the project celebrates its 20th birthday. It aims to deliver shoeboxes to more than 80 000 children in need, with 84 663 children currently on the national list.

"The Santa Shoebox Project is one big beautiful story - made up of more than a million and a half beautiful chapters of giving and receiving joy since 2006," said CEO Deb Zelezniak. "A pledge is a promise made to a specific child."

Each traditional Santa Shoebox contains eight specified items, including toiletries, new clothing, educational supplies, a toy and sweets.

Boxes are packed for specific children and distributed through schools and care facilities. Sedgefield's drop-offs are at Lions Clubhouse, Sedgefield Common, from 15:00 to 17:00 on 30 October and 10:00 to 14:00 on 31 October. Contact Zelda Eastwood on 082 956 9962 or [email protected].

In Knysna, the boxes can be dropped off at Montessori School from 07:30 to 14:30 on 29 and 30 October. Contact Liezel Brazier on 084 793 1898 or [email protected].

Plett's drop-offs are at the St Methodist Church from 08:30 to 13:00 on 31 October. Contact Deanne Roberts at [email protected].

A Sedgefield drop-and-go facility will operate at N2 Wilderness from 08:00 to 17:00, from 1 to 20 October. Contact Amanda Schoonderwoerd on 068 222 2555.

Pledges can be made online throughout October. For more information, visit santashoebox.org.za.

Santa Shoeboxes, prepared to bring joy to more than 800 000 children across South Africa.

Santa Shoebox organisers urge pledgers to drop gifts off at designated Garden Route points, as thousands of children still await their Christmas boxes. Photo: Santa Shoebox