The countdown is less than two weeks until individual pledging kickstarts for the Santa Shoebox Project, and everyone who loves the idea of wrapping up joy for a child in need is invited to step up:
South Africa (22 August 2024) — The first of September is always circled on the Santa Shoebox Project’s calendar as the beginning of a time that’s as exciting as meeting Santa himself—individual shoebox pledging! 1 September marks the day that South Africans far and wide are invited to step up and begin the journey of wrapping up joy for children in need—something our country has done to great effect!
Started in 2006 as a way for people to gift essential surprises to underprivileged children, the Santa Shoebox Project has snowballed into an entire movement of giving that’s reached over a million children.
Watch: A Reminder of How Much Joy a Santa Shoebox Can Bring About
@santa.shoebox Western Cape celebrations 🎁✨️🎁✨️ #SantaShoebox #Celebration #WesternCape #makingadifference #boy ♬ original sound – Santa Shoebox Projects
While there are several opportunities throughout the year to step up and support the Santa Shoebox Project, including team pledges (for over 20 shoeboxes), the beginning of September is specifically allotted to individual pledges. Here, people choose their beneficiaries by name, age and gender and pack personalised boxes with loads of love and goodies in time for the holidays.
The process begins in September as a build up to Christmas season. As we can all imagine, handling thousands upon thousands of personalised gift boxes is no small task, and the more time to get everything in order, the merrier.
How to Step Up
- Make your pledge on 1 September by registering here.
- Decide on the kind of Santa Shoebox you’d like to contribute! (the traditional, virtual, or extra option).
- Drop off your boxes if you haven’t opted for the virtual option; you can identify your most convenient drop-off point when you are registered.
- You can also go a step further by volunteering to help at the drop off or by pledging more boxes!
While there are shoebox variations (virtual shoeboxes, for example, mean that the Santa Shoebox team will pack your gift for you, and the extra Shoebox helps in the case of ‘no show’ boxes so no child misses out), here’s what to include in your traditional Santa Shoebox:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Soap
- Washcloth
- Educational Supplies
- Outfit of Clothing
- Sweets
- A Toy
All of the above need to be new, age-appropriate and unused.
You can find out more information about the Project that never stops giving here.
Sources: Santa Shoebox Project
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