Santa Shoebox opened its official pledges today and already, they have had 16,000 children selected by generous South Africans.
South Africa (01 September 2023) – The Santa Shoebox Project has opened its pledges with the goal of reaching 80,000 children and teens this year; they have already reached 16,000 pledges in one day.
The 1st of September marks the moment that people across the world open their hearts and select a child or teen to spoil during the festive season. Thousands of people login to their Santa Shoebox Project profiles and select who they plan to fill a shoebox of goodies for.
While children and teens may be based in South Africa and Namibia, pledgers can be from anywhere in the world. This is thanks to the virtual boxes available to purchase which are then beautifully made up by volunteers for Santa Shoebox.
So if you are ready to give a child or teen a reason to smile in December, now is your chance!
How to get involved
1. Login to your profile and Pledge
2. Choose your lucky beneficiary child by name
3. Print your label
4. Shop for all 8 required items – You can also purchase a virtual box if you are based outside SA.
5. Decorate a Shoebox
6. Put a Drop Off reminder in your phone
7. Drop Off at the right place and on time.
Drop Offs will occur towards the end of October and early in November.
All of the following items are required:
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Bar of soap
- Washcloth
- An outfit or item of clothing
- Educational supplies
- Sweets
- A toy
Some additional things to consider:
- Please put all liquids, like cosmetics or blow bubbles, into a ziplock bag so that the contents cannot leak out and spoil the shoebox.
- Please include extra batteries with battery-operated toys or choose a non-battery-operated alternative.
The following is a list of things NOT to include in your Santa Shoebox:
- Perishable or tinned food or sweets containing nuts. Please put chocolates in a ziplock bag.
- Medicine or vitamins of any kind.
- Violence-related items like toy guns or knives.
- Anything of a political, religious or racial nature.
Will you be pledging this year? Let us know in the comment section.
If you contributed to this awesome cause, be sure to follow the Facebook page, as photos of children receiving their boxes will be shared there. It is always heartwarming to see the excitement and joy on their faces.