Pretty Things for Little Things returns

THE Shoprite Group, in conjunction with Age-in-Action, is once again sponsoring the Pretty Things for Little Things campaign, which encourages customers, especially senior citizens, to put their creative talents to work by making clothes and toys for children in disadvantaged communities.

The campaign was started in 2003 and the guiding principle behind the campaign was that all children, regardless of financial status, race, or religion, deserved things which can help give them a happier and more fulfilling life.

Run as a national competition, entrants are challenged to use their natural talents to warm a child’s heart, while simultaneously standing a chance to win generous prizes for themselves.

Items can be made from any material, as long as they are practical, durable and safe. There are four categories into which items can be entered: soft toys, blankets, clothing or other, which includes articles made from materials such as wood, tin or wire. Submissions were opened on Wednesday, 1 June and will close on Wednesday, 31 August.

More than 160 000 items have already been collected and distributed to children across South Africa since Pretty Things for Little Things was launched.

Although the initiative is open to everyone, only senior citizens 60 years or older are eligible for prizes. Every item made is valuable as it will be given to a child who may have never had a toy, blanket or item of clothing before.

Items can be entered at any Shoprite or Checkers store in South Africa or at any of the Age-in-Action regional offices.

Three winners per category will be selected in each province. The provincial winners each receive vouchers to the value of R2 000, R1 500 and R1 000 for first, second and third places respectively. National winners receive vouchers to the value of R5 000, R3 000 and R2 000 for the top three positions respectively. The vouchers can be used at any Shoprite, Checkers or Checkers Hyper store across the country.

Ingrid Cupido, CEO of Age-in-Action, said senior citizens – often referred to as ‘the forgotten generation’ – face isolation and depression.

“Pretty Things for Little Things is the only campaign of its kind which acknowledges senior citizens by giving them purpose, even if it is for a short while. They look forward to this time of the year because they know they will be making something which will bring joy to a child out there,” said Cupido.

Visit www.age-in-action.co.za for more information on the campaign.