It’s so heartwarming to witness how a child’s face lights up upon receiving a special gift – bright eyes and big smiles, beaming with the utmost happiness. After all, there’s no greater feeling than to make a difference in the life of a child, and this is exactly what the Santa Shoebox Project aims to do.
In 2020, South Africa’s beloved charity reached its one millionth child, and even though this is a momentous milestone, they are now taking it a step further to go #beyondthemillion!
From Wednesday, September 1, a list of children’s names will be made available via the Santa Shoebox Project website. Donors will be able to create a supporter profile where they’ll be granted access to the children’s first name, age, gender and clothing size.
Thereafter, donors can register for a Drop Off in their area which takes place on specific dates in October and November while having the opportunity to create Shoeboxes for children living in and around the community.
The required contents of a Santa Shoebox have been chosen with the underprivileged child in mind, and includes a toothbrush and toothpaste, a facecloth and cake of soap, a toy, sweets, school supplies and an outfit of clothing.
All items must be new, unused and age-appropriate. Extra items are welcomed as long as it fits into a medium-sized shoebox (the size of an adult running shoe box). Extra items could include a reusable shopping bag in which the child can carry their shoebox home or even a cloth mask to cite a few fitting examples.
Shoeboxes should be cheerfully decorated, with the lid wrapped separately to the box, allowing it to be opened without damaging the decorations. Visit the website for clarity on how to pack a shoebox.
In the interests of volunteer and beneficiary safety, donors are asked to please sanitise their hands, wear a mask when packing their shoeboxes, and to do so a minimum of three days prior to dropping their shoeboxes off.
If you’re unable to do your own shopping, then the Virtual Santa Shoebox initiative is right up your alley where items will be packed and dropped off on your behalf.
All Santa Shoeboxes are trackable via the Santa Shoebox App which is available from Google Play and the App Store. Track your Shoebox from the moment you pledge to the magical moment the child receives their very own lovingly-created Santa Shoebox!
Later in the year, towards the end of October, supporters will be invited to volunteer at their local Drop Off, receiving, checking and packing Santa Shoeboxes. Drop Offs will be conducted in keeping with pre-vailing Covid19 regulations.
For detailed information about how to pledge and how to volunteer, please visit the Santa Shoebox Project website FAQs.
Follow the social pages:
Facebook: /SantaShoebox
Twitter: @SantaShoebox
Instagram: /santashoebox
Make sure to contact the Project Liaison for more information on how you can help at [email protected] or visit the website.
Picture/s: Santa Shoebox Project Supplied
