The Santa Shoebox Project (SSP) has officially reached the 80% mark of pledges and has already started bringing joy and the gift of dignity to youngsters in Strand, whose sincere gratitude has left us reaching for the tissues!
South Africa (21 October 2025) – Santa’s helpers have been hard at work, collecting, shopping, wrapping, volunteering, and just spreading pure magic!
The Santa Shoebox Project (SSP) has officially reached the 80% mark of pledges! That’s pledges of precious and carefully put together boxes that will bring smiles, love, and hope to children in need this season.
Speaking to Good Things Guy, SSP’s CEO, Deb Zelezniak, confirmed that the charity began its first celebrations last Thursday, with Virtual Santa Shoeboxes delivered to a primary school in Strand and to an ECD Centre on a farm in Paarl – marking an unforgettable moment when a child received a box with the most heartfelt gratitude.
“A Santa Shoebox is not ‘just’ a festive season gift – it’s a gift of dignity. A young learner at the Strand school came up to me quietly, as his friends were high-fiving on their way out of the school hall after receiving their Virtual Santa Shoeboxes,” reflects Deb.
“He had the most earnest little face, deep soulful eyes, which spoke directly to my heart. He assured me that we’d done a wonderful thing, a ‘big thing’ – he told me that the children attending his school had received the gift of self-esteem from the Santa Shoebox Project. He told me that the gift would help him, and his friends would show up as their best selves.”
Phew, now that’s impact!
Deb admits that in that moment, she wept, in turn assuring the boy that she was filled with joy.
“I have NEVER felt more connected to being a South African than I felt with this young man.”
You too can be part of this amazing movement of giving and creating these heartfelt moments of restored dignity throughout the country.
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This year’s SSP focus is on packing boxes with a child’s education in mind. When donors give children in Grade R, Grade 7 and Grade 11 the school supplies they need to start primary school, to enter high school or to remain in school for matric, they’re ensuring these youngsters have access to the best education available to them.
Wolseley, Riversdale, Kimberley are fully pledged with Ballito and Bloemfontein drop-off points open on Thursday, 23 October.
When you pledge a Shoebox for a child, you’re giving them more than things like deodorant, a maths set, a cap, or a wallet. You’re giving them the feeling of being seen, valued, and loved.
Visit the SSP volunteer website page here to make a donation.
Sources: Nothando Mthembu | Deb Zelezniak
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