The Santa Shoebox Project, which aims to reach out to underprivileged children, has started early this year and they want the public on board.
This South African children’s charity has touched the lives of 762 594 underprivileged children throughout South Africa and Namibia.
According to Michele Engelmann, coordinator of the Krugersdorp branch, the pledge process opened on 1 August, a full month earlier than previous years. From this date, donors are able to select children from their surrounding area, thus supporting their own larger community.
Irené Pieters, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Santa Shoebox Project said, “We strive each year to lighten the load of this project – which really has a life of its own. We listened to all our supporters – sponsors, beneficiaries and volunteers alike and gave them the gift of time.”
This year, they hope to reach a milestone and receive 115 000 lovingly created Shoeboxes.
“These are really much more than just a Shoebox – each one contains eight required items: a toothbrush and toothpaste; soap and a facecloth; school supplies; a toy; sweets and an outfit of clothing. When a donor pledges a Shoebox, a promise of self-worth and fulfilled potential is made to the beneficiary child,” Irené said.
4 000 Virtual Santa Shoeboxes will be on offer, enabling busy donors or those who live far from drop-off points to select the contents of a personalised Shoebox, which will then be packed by Santa Shoebox volunteers. A generic option will also be available, which the Project is able to allocate to children living in remote rural areas, who would otherwise not receive a Shoebox.
“The public is asked to participate in the Santa Shoebox Project by visiting www.santashoebox.org.za to register as a supporter. From 1 August, donors are able to choose the child or children for whom they wish to pledge a Shoebox,” Irené said.
The decorated Santa Shoeboxes should be dropped off at central distribution points across the country on designated dates in September and October. A list of these can be found at https://santashoebox.org.za/find-my-local-dropoff/
The following items are required to complete a Santa Shoebox:
1. Standard sized shoebox, colourfully decorated, with the lid wrapped separately
2. QR coded label, which the donor will receive upon pledging online
3. Toothbrush
4. Toothpaste
5. Face cloth
6. Soap
7. Toy
8. Outfit of clothing
9. School supplies
10. Sweets
“Please note that all items must be new, unused and age appropriate,” Irené added.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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