WATCH: Give a child joy this Christmas with the Santa Shoebox Project

In 14 years, the public's generosity has reached 957 297 children.

September 11, 2020

Marietta Lombard 2 minutes read

The Santa Shoebox Project will be reaching its one millionth child this year, and donors are invited to participate in the event.

Each year the project collects and distributes personalised gifts of essential items and treats for underprivileged children throughout South Africa and Namibia.

In 14 years, the public’s generosity has reached 957 297 children.

Lists of children’s names are available on the Santa Shoebox Project website at www.santashoebox.org.za

Donors create a supporter profile and are granted access to the children’s first name, age, gender and clothing size to allow them to create personalised gifts for their selected children.

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The required items for a shoebox are:
• A toothbrush and toothpaste
• An outfit of clothing
• Sweets
• Age-appropriate toys
• A facecloth and bar of soap
• School supplies

Santa Shoebox Project recommends a special gift in the box too but is a bonus for the children, as the aim is to give them items they really need.

Each year the project invites organisations which deal with or care for underprivileged children, orphanages, schools or children’s homes to apply to be beneficiaries of the project.

All of these applications are vetted by Santa Shoebox Project coordinators before they are approved.

Drop-offs will be conducted in line with Covid-19 regulations. Donors are reminded that items should be sanitised and packed at least four to five days before the drop-off.

Virtual Santa Shoeboxes

This caters mainly to supporters outside South Africa who are not able to physically make up a shoebox and get it to a drop-off point.
They buy a shoebox at a cost of R450 and the project creates one for them. The virtual shoeboxes are specifically distributed in rural areas where the donor capacity is low.

How to participate:
• Visit santashoebox.org.za
• Register as a supporter.
• Pick a convenient drop-off point that you can reach on the specified date.
• From September 1, when pledging begins, pledge a shoebox by selecting one or more recipients by name, age and gender.
• Print your QR-coded shoebox labels.
• Decorate or fill your shoebox according to the guidelines found on the website or Facebook page.
• Drop your shoebox at your selected drop-off point on the designated date.

For more information about the Santa Shoebox Project go to www.santashoebox.org.za