Santa Shoebox Pledging is Now Open to the Public!
The countdown to Christmas has begun! With only a few months left until the end of the year, South Africans can get into the festive season spirit early by not only donating a personalised present containing essential items and treats to underprivileged children, but by also empowering them with the opportunity to give a gift too.
Pledges for South Africa’s favourite gift-giving initiative, the Santa Shoebox Project, officially opened on the 1st of September 2022. Under this year’s theme of ‘Share the Love’, donors have the option to duplicate an item in their box, enabling the beneficiary child to gift that item to a friend or family member. “Enabling these kids to experience the joy of giving for themselves, enhances other benefits such as personal growth and increased self-esteem,” explains Santa Shoebox Programmes (SSP) Chief Executive Officer, Deb Zelezniak.
Typically, Santa Shoeboxes contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a facecloth, school supplies, a toy, sweets and an outfit of clothing. This year, in addition to the duplicate item provided by the public, Book Dash, which creates African storybooks that anyone can freely download and distribute, will be including two books – one for the recipient and the other for them to gift to someone else. “This amplifies the sharing, because a book is meant to be read together, either with a friend or by a parent or teacher.”
“Since 2006, our beloved Project has reached 1 077 289 children throughout South Africa and Namibia, thanks to the generosity of its donors. In 2022, we will be positively impacting the lives of many more, and we so appreciate your help in doing so,” concludes Zelezniak.
For those who like to make up their own boxes, donors are able to pledge a Santa Shoebox online, selecting children living in and around their community by name, age, gender and clothing size. To donate in this way, simply register or login on the Santa Shoebox website now to pledge a box and ensure your donor profile is up to date.
The following items are required to complete a Santa Shoebox:
1. A standard-sized shoebox or plastic container, colourfully decorated, with the lid wrapped separately
2. QR coded label, which will be emailed to the donor upon pledging online
3. Toothbrush
4. Toothpaste
5. Facecloth
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.
For detailed information about how to volunteer, please visit the Santa Shoebox Project website.