Hero in my Hood has started collecting funds to hand over books to the Santa Shoebox Project; they already have sponsors for 1,200 books.
South Africa (02 October 2023) – For the past six years, Hero in my Hood has touched the lives of thousands of children receiving Santa Shoeboxes. The incredible organisation has placed its much-loved books into the donated boxes, spreading the joy of literacy to children who deserve a chance to fall in love with reading.
Hero in my Hood has been educating youth in a fun and creative way by illustrating educational activity books about common social issues. The team have received a donation of 1000 books thanks to Felix and Moni Spreiter from Switzerland. Last year, they challenged Cape Town to double that figure – and are asking for the same or better, this year.
The books going into this year’s boxes were specially created for the Santa Shoebox, focusing on Gender-Based Violence.
“After a massive amount of research we not only developed The Freestyle Stars, a book about bullying – the prequel to GBV – we even developed a Teacher’s Guide for online download.”
For children as young as six, the best way to learn valuable lessons is through fun, engaging and educational activities. Hero in my Hood was founded to help teach lessons while keeping things fun.
Hero in my Hood was founded in 2016 by Mandy Lomberg and Kate Boyes. They aim to get books into the hands of children. Partnering with the Santa Shoebox each year helps them accomplish this aim.
“Each year the Santa Shoebox Project collects and distributes personalised gifts of essential items and treats for underprivileged children throughout South Africa and Namibia.
When the boxes are delivered to the drop-off points, each box is checked and additional extras are included. This is when our books find their way into these lovely gift boxes.”
There are several ways to get involved in helping Hero in my Hood raise enough for another 2000 books in Cape Town.
How to get involved
Option 1
- Choose to sponsor books (1, 10, 100 – as many as you can) or to donate directly towards distribution – Books cost R12 each.
- Make payment via Payfast/Zapper or EFT
- The team will make stickers with your name on them and stick them onto the back of the books you have sponsored.
- They will drop off the books on packing day (CT or Joburg) and they will be included into boxes that need a little extra something.
Option 2
If you are making up your own boxes, once you are registered with the SSP and have collected the goodies required, add the fun, educational something extra with our activity books.
- Decide how many books you need.
- Make payment via Payfast/Zapper or EFT
- Contact Mandy re: delivery/collection (mandy@hero-in-my-hood.co.za or 082 578 2018)
- You put the book/s into your Santa Shoebox/es and deliver to your closest drop-off point.
Option 3
This is a great option for those who do not have time to make up their own boxes but want to be involved. It is a great photo opportunity for a company/ class of kids/group of friends/sports team.
- Decide how many books you need.
- Make payment via Payfast/Zapper or EFT
- Contact Mandy re: delivery/collection (mandy@hero-in-my-hood.co.za or 082 578 2018)
- You deliver to your closest drop-off point, take photos at the drop-off and post online.
There are several ways one can get involved beyond the Santa Shoebox Project. You can order books for your child and/or school, you can sponsor books for children in need, or you can commission your own books from the organisation.
by 