Santa Shoebox Project needs an Upper South Coast base

Umkomaas resident and local co-ordinator, Lisette Muller is looking for a venue which will serve as a drop-off point and check point, as well as volunteers to assist in local efforts.

“We need the venue over three days in the last weekend of October or first weekend of November. Every box received will be checked that is is properly packed, before it is couriered to a central point for distribution. We need volunteers to assist between 8am and 5pm.”

The boxes are distributed close to or before Christmas to schools and children’s homes.

In 2013, the project broke all previous records by collecting 118,274 festive season gifts for children from vulnerable social backgrounds in more than 1,000 orphanages, children’s homes and care centres around South Africa, and as far as Namibia.

Lisette first became involved in the project in 2012, when she packed a box for a child who had the same name as her daughter and was aged the same. “When I went to drop-off my box in Durban Central, I couldn’t leave. In 2013, I became a full-time volunteer.”

Previously, contributors to the project had to drive to Durban to drop off their boxes, however they no longer need to do this once a local drop-off point has been secured.

Items placed in the boxes are toothpaste and toothbrush, bar of soap and wash cloth, an outfit of clothing, educational supplies, sweets and a toy. “Some boxes do not have basic items, therefore we call on businesses to sponsor toiletry or stationery items, which can be added into a box.”

The project also welcomes company T-shirts, caps or pens to supplement the boxes. “Nothing gets wasted. All extra boxes are kept aside to be used the following year.”

If anyone has a suitable venue to offer, or would like to volunteer or sponsor, contact Lisette on 082-4111-666 or go to www.santashoebox.co.za.