Change a child’s life with a santa shoebox
The success of the project can largely be attributed to its personal nature.
MBOMBELA – We’ve all heard that it’s more blessed to give than to receive, and the feeling you get when you know you’ve change the life of a child is heartwarming in so many ways. The Santa Shoebox Project is back and this year the initiative hopes to receive even more boxes to change even more children’s lives. Its goal is to connect people through the joy of giving, the theme this year is “KISS – Keep it Sustainable Santa,” and that is exactly what this inspiring goodwill organisation will do when it introduces some new creative initiatives.
Gift boxes have to be filled according to the guidelines provided on the Santa Shoebox website, and include some practical necessities such as toothpaste, toothbrush, facecloth and soap, as well as sweets, educational supplies, a toy and an item of clothing. Donors and volunteers agree that it is this personal touch that endears the project to adults and children year-on-year.
The project originated in Cape Town and has grown in leaps and bounds, with the number of Santa Shoeboxes growing from a humble 180 boxes in 2006 to a record 118 274 in 2013. The backbone of this initiative is to collect and distribute 100 000 Santa Shoeboxes to underprivileged children around South Africa and Namibia. The boxes are distributed to more than 1 000 recipient facilities, through more than 60 satellite offices. The success of the project can largely be attributed to its personal nature. “To see those children’s faces when they open their boxes is priceless,” says Ms Tammy Rankin, project co-oordiantor. Over the course of five years they have received amazing boxes, but also very empty ones. “It is important for people to read the fine print to know what goes into them,” says Rankin.
This project offers people from all walks of life the chance to participate in a profoundly valuable and personal experience, enriching the lives of both those doing the giving, and those on the receiving end. Donors are encouraged to involve their own children in the process of personally selecting the name of a child from one of the centres or children’s homes, and putting together his or her personal, age-appropriate Santa Shoebox.
Visit www.santashoebox.co.za for more information.
