Support Santa Shoebox project at uMhlanga mall
The mall aims to collect 2 400 Santa Shoeboxes for the charity this year – 300 more than what was collected last year.
THE Santa Shoebox Project at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping is back and invites donors to drop off their wrapped and packed shoeboxes at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping throughout October.
There will also be a weekend collection drive from 26 to 28 October, where a special collection zone will be set up next to Ocean Basket on the Palm Boulevard.
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Gateway’s marketing manager, Michelle Shelley, said the mall’s collaboration with the Santa Shoebox Project started in 2020, and since then, Gateway has collected 6 202 gift boxes from generous donors.
“We’d love to grow that this year as we play a part in connecting donors and children in need within the communities around us. Packing and decorating a gift box for someone whose name you know, and for whom you can buy age and gender-appropriate items, is a wonderful, personal gesture,” she said.
Santa Shoebox Project CEO Debbie Zelezniak said, “Santa Shoebox Project donors in uMhlanga are able to pledge support and contribute to lasting change in the lives of children in nearby communities.”
In its 18th year, Santa’s Shoebox Project has connected more than one million children in South Africa with generous donors who have made the effort to create a shoebox of items just for them. Pledging is open on the Santa Shoebox website where donors can find a beneficiary to connect with.
Over the years, the organisation has devised a list of the best items that should be included in the gift box. More can be added, but all items on the basic list should be included and must be new and age-appropriate:
• toothpaste
• toothbrush
• bar of soap
• washcloth
• an outfit of clothing
• educational supplies
• sweets
• a toy
Donors are invited to use Gateway’s ‘drop & go’ station at the mall’s info desk.
For more info on how to pledge a gift box, visit www.santashoebox.org.za.
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