A Santa Shoebox is so much more than a box
This year the Santa Shoebox Project aims to donate 100, 000 boxes to underprivileged children throughout the country.
PLEDGES for the annual Santa Shoebox Project opened on 1 September, and this year marks the tenth anniversary of an initiative that has become one of South Africa’s favourite ways to give over the festive season.
From a humble 180 shoeboxes donated in its first year, the project has now notched up more than half a million thoughtful shoeboxes donated to underprivileged children across South Africa and Namibia.
What makes the initiative a favourite with family, individuals and corporate donors alike is that it is highly personalised, said the initiative’s spokesperson Tracy Jones.
“Prospective beneficiaries apply to the project in April each year. After 1 September, donors get to choose who they make a pledge to; with the child’s name, age and gender known to them upfront so that they are empowered to choose perfectly appropriate contents of their shoebox,” added Jones.
“There’s a specific balance of what every child wants and what underprivileged children particularly need, which has informed this year’s theme of ‘More Than Just a Shoebox’. Always generous in spirit, some donors may want to fill the shoebox space with items more exciting than a soap and facecloth, toothpaste and a toothbrush; but the reality is these everyday gifts are vital under the circumstances,” she explained.
Many of the beneficiaries live in deep poverty where the all-important general and dental hygiene are, most often, out of their parents’ or caregiver’s reach or awareness.
By including these everyday items, the donor helps to highlight the importance of disease prevention.
“There’s also plenty of space in a Santa Shoebox to include the fun stuff. The template for a Santa Shoebox also includes an age-appropriate toy, an outfit of clothing and a vital gift of stationery, as well as a sweet treat,” suggests Jones.
If all of this seems too much for an individual donor, it’s easier to get together as a family, a community group or a corporate team to complete one Santa Shoebox.
Register online now as a donor to receive newsletters and 2016 notifications www.santashoebox.org.za.
For some inspiration, check out this video by South Africa’s own Suzelle:
