Shoeboxes for a great cause
RANDBURG – Danielle Houseman aims to collect more than 3 000 charity shoe boxes for various homes across Johannesburg.
A Randburg woman is taking on the goal to collect more than 3 000 charity shoe boxes to distribute to various homes across Johannesburg during the Christmas period.
Danielle Houseman started doing Santa shoe boxes in 2015 and this year she is setting her goals higher.
Nelson Borman Attorneys is partnering with Green Planet Plumbing to join Danielle in an effort to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
They are gathering donations from the community to make gift shoe boxes for the elderly, children and animal shelters.
“My target is a minimum of 3 000 boxes… 1 000 to be donated to the elderly, 1 000 for underprivileged and sick children and 1 000 for the animals.
“I have initially selected five places I want to support but I am hoping to help at least 15 charities,” Houseman said.
Last year, her dreams became a reality when she donated shoe boxes to 13 charities.
When asked what inspired her to start the initiative she said, “I do it in memory of my special Yia-Yia [grandmother] who died suddenly of pancreatic cancer in August 2011… I decided I needed to do something in order to deal with my pain and grief.”
As an example of one of the organisations that she would like to help she said, “The Frida Hartley Shelter desperately needs women’s clothing and accessories so I am hoping that I can get the public to donate ladies clothing and items for women who are starting their lives over.
“I have two drop-off points – one being my work as well as the other being my generous in-laws house.”
The public can get involved by making up boxes and donating clothing items.
Currently, Houseman has six homes that will benefit from the effort:
- Frederick Place in Coronationville
- The Greek Old Age Home in Orange Grove
- Baragwanath Hospital children’s ward for terminally ill children and patients at the Colorectal Unit.
- Frida Hartely Shelter for abandoned and abused women
- The Wendywood School
- Diepsloot Animal Care Centre.
Each shoe box will be made up of the following:
Children
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Soap
- Facecloth
- An outfit of clothing
- Educational supplies
- Sweets
- Small toy.
Elderly
- Soap and facecloths
- Body cream
- Biscuits
- Shampoo
- Tissues (packet)
- Sweets
- Vicks/Zambuk/Lip-ice.
Animals
- Dog Food/Cat Food
- Biscuits
- Animal treats
- Blanket
- Appropriate toy.
Details: If you would like to contribute to Houseman’s effort, email danhousemancandidateatt@gmail.com or call 076 593 3626.
