Over the past nine years, this inspiring non-profit organisation has collected almost half a million (456 004) ‘Santa Shoeboxes’ for children from vulnerable social backgrounds.
With the support from sponsors PEP Stores, StorAge, Laser Logistics, the CTICC and Pick ‘n Pay, this year’s target is once again 100 000 gifts, which will be dispatched to a thousand orphanages, children’s homes and care centres across the country, and as far as Namibia, just in time to place a smile on as many young faces over the festive season.
With ‘Giving for Good’ as this year’s theme, the Santa Shoebox Project offers people from all walks of life the chance to participate in a profoundly valuable and personal experience that enriches both the lives of those doing the giving, and those on the receiving end.
This year the goal is to go beyond this challenge with innovative new initiatives that take ‘giving for good’ beyond the boundaries of the shoebox drive, aiming to make positive changes in the lives of these children – for ‘good’, through a number of new pipeline projects. These includes a Virtual Box on-line shopping option managed by Pick ‘n Pay, providing an opportunity for individuals outside of the main centres to take part too, and for corporates to get involved in sponsoring Santa Shoeboxes in larger quantities.
Enter into the spirit of the Festive Season and register on-line at www.santashoebox.org.za. Donors may choose the name of a child or children they’d like to give their Santa Shoebox/es to. Age appropriate gift boxes then have to be filled according to the guidelines provided on the website. These include some practical necessities such as toothpaste and toothbrush, face cloth and soap, as well as sweets, educational supplies, a toy and a clothing outfit.
The Santa Shoeboxes will be collected at central Drop-Off points all over South Africa at the end of October.
