Full-time relief to scores of children

Margie Kostelac might not be everyone’s cherub but her work provides relief to scores of children throughout South Africa and Namibia.

The humanitarian spoke more about her full-time involvement of this project that took over her life.

“My working background was in the hospitality industry, which I loved, but I was retrenched 13 years ago,” said Margie.

Currently Margie is the Santa Shoebox Project’s regional manager for Gauteng, Free State, North West, Port Elizabeth and East London.

One day Margie’s friend sent her an email about the Santa Shoebox Project.

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“My mum and I filled an apple box with beanies we knitted and went to drop them with a woman in Joburg.”

Margie was astonished to find the woman’s house filled with shoeboxes.

“It looked like she needed help and the rest was history,” said Margie.

That was the start of Margie’s journey with the Santa Shoebox Project.

Each year the Santa Shoebox Project collects and distributes gifts for underprivileged children throughout South Africa and Namibia in shoeboxes which are beautifully decorated.

The project has gone on to help over a million children in the past 13 years.

“Coordinators are supported very well by sponsors,volunteers and service organisations like Rotary and Round Table.”

Margie said a lot of people often asked her, “Margie, you only work for charity, how busy can you be?”

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She said she always tells them her work never ends.

“This literally is my full-time job.”

Planning and preparing starts at the beginning of the year and the work doesn’t end until the end of the year when all the shoeboxes are in the hands of the children they are packed for.

“It’s a mammoth task, but the adrenaline, buzz and rewards are worth every minute,” said Margie.

Each year the project invites organisations which deal with or care for underprivileged children such as orphanages, schools and children’s homes to apply to be beneficiaries of the project.

“In the past 13 years, the generosity of the public has reached 858 673 children.

“The theme this year is ‘Let’s Make Magic’, which I love because this project really is magical.

“We received 2 430 applications already, this year.

“It is such a privilege to see the look on these children’s faces when they open their Santa Shoebox,” said Margie.

Pledging starts on September 1 when the list of children’s names is published.

Supporters can then go to the visit santashoebox.org.za for more information on the Santa Shoebox Project, contact Margie on margie@santashoebox.org.za