Why a Santa Shoebox is so much more than a box
Donors are encouraged to remember that a pledge is a promise
Pledges for the annual Santa Shoebox Project opened on September 1 and this year marks the 10th birthday of an initiative that has become one of South Africa’s favourite ways to give over the festive season.
From a humble 180 shoeboxes donated in its first year, the Santa Shoebox Project has now notched up more than half a million thoughtful shoeboxes donated to underprivileged children across South Africa and Namibia.
What makes the Santa Shoebox project a favourite is that it is highly personalised. Prospective beneficiaries apply to the project in April each year. After September 1, donors get to choose who they make a pledge to; with the child’s name, age and gender known to them upfront so they are empowered to choose perfectly appropriate contents of their shoebox.
It is also why it is so important that all pledges are fulfilled – there’s always a child in anticipation of what Christmas might bring, and an unfulfilled pledge is just like Santa failing to make good on the promise of the festive season. Donors are encouraged to remember that a pledge is a promise.
A decade of experience has finely honed the wisdom of what’s best to go into a Santa Shoebox. There’s a specific balance of what every child wants and what underprivileged children particularly need, which has informed this year’s theme of More Than Just a Shoebox.
Always generous in spirit, some donors may want to fill the shoebox space with items more exciting than a soap and facecloth, toothpaste and a toothbrush; but the reality is these everyday gifts are vital under the circumstances. The Santa Shoebox beneficiaries live in deep poverty; the means to achieve all-important general and dental hygiene are, most often, out of reach.
There’s also plenty of space in a Santa Shoebox to include the fun stuff. The template for a Santa Shoebox also includes an age-appropriate toy, an outfit of clothing and a vital gift of stationery, as well as a sweet treat.
This year the Santa Shoebox Project aims to donate 100 000 boxes to underprivileged children throughout the country. South Africa’s DIY celebrity, Suzelle, has also created a How to make a Santa Shoebox video to create further awareness of the project’s 10-year celebration and to encourage donors to pledge and help to change a child’s life.
Click here to enjoy.
The project also offers donors the opportunity to purchase a Little Sun solar lamp which, after charging for only five hours, provides more than 50 hours of light. These will be available as and when individual drop offs become fully pledged.
Given that the project’s main sponsors cover all operating costs of The Santa Shoebox Project, all other donations contribute towards the SSB Legacy. The funds are used for community upliftment projects. For 2016 and 2017, Santa Shoebox will be focusing on water, distributing Hippo Rollers to communities who don’t have the luxury of running water in their own homes.
