Gerda Peuckert, organiser of the Santa Shoebox Project in Secunda, said they urgently need more people to pledge boxes.

“We still need shoeboxes for 13 of the children that we want to bless this year,” said Peuckert.

She said this year they need 225 packed shoeboxes and plan to donate these to children involved with the House of Mercy Project in eMbalenhle, Cosmos Children’s Home in Kriel, Janelle Huis in Evander, and the SAVF Secunda Child and Youth Care Centre.

Residents can visit the website santashoebox.org.za to choose a child they would like to pack a box for and then pledge it on the website.

The eight items that must be inside the box are: a toothbrush and toothpaste, a face cloth and soap, an educational item, one outfit of clothing, a sweet, and a toy.

For older children, a toy can be something such as sunglasses or Uno cards.

Boxes must be dropped off on November 1 between 10:00 and 16:00 or November 2 between 10:00 and 12:30 at Laerskool Goedehoop.

For more information, visit their website or contact Peuckert on 082 499 4662.