The Santa Shoebox Project (August / September)

So, we are finally ready to take on our next project.

If you think it’s too early to start shopping for Christmas, think again!!!

From now until the end of September we will be focussing on packing Santa Shoeboxes!!!

What is this about project about?

Help the Santa Shoebox Project distribute festive season gifts to thousands of underprivileged children in South Africa and Namibia by pledging your Santa Shoebox.

How can you help?

-           If you do not want to pack your own box then you can help in two ways – either donate some of the individual items and we will coordinate the packing of the boxes, or donate some cash and we will buy whatever we need for incomplete boxes. We get that some people are too busy to run around and pack a whole box, or they simply cannot afford to. Don’t feel bad. You can still help with a smaller contribution or donation. We need:

•           Toothpaste

•           Tooth brush

•           Bar of soap

•           Wash cloth

•           An outfit of clothing

•           Educational supplies

•           Sweets (No cakes, perishable food or anything containing nuts.)

•           A toy (No glass, fragile items or battery-operated toys. Also no toy gun, knives or any dangerous items and sharp objects.)

Packing your own box

-           Packing your own box will cost between R250 and R300 depending on what you buy and where you buy it from.

-           If you’re really up for the challenge and you want to pack your own box, then please read the instructions below.

Instructions on how to pack a box

1.         Find an empty shoebox

We all have shoeboxes around the house or know someone who will kindly give us one. Shoe stores usually have empty boxes to give away. Boxes larger than MEDIUM (20x34x11cm) size might not be accepted.

Paper boxes in which reams of printer paper are packed can be cut down to the ideal size.

2.         Decorate the shoebox

Be creative!

Instead of using conventional wrapping paper, decorate the box with drawings, paint, cut outs and stickers. If you choose to wrap the shoebox, please make sure that you wrap the lid separately so that it can be lifted off.

By doing this, you are creating a unique Keepsake Box which the recipient child will use to store their treasures throughout the year.

The beautiful decorations and printed name labels make the Shoeboxes easily identifiable and unique for future use.

Do NOT wrap the individual items in the box.

Label your box by printing and pasting the Santa Shoebox label which you have downloaded on the outside of the lid, in the top right hand corner.

Add sticky tape to ensure the label remains in place and secure the lid to the box with an elastic band.

3.         Fill the box with gifts

Please remember that all items must be NEW and AGE-APPROPRIATE.

PEP Stores is our one-stop-shop for all Santa Shoebox contents.

The Santa Shoebox Project endorses these products:

•           Re-usable sanitary pads for teenage girls: www.subzpads.co.za

•           Road safety reflectors for all children: www.seeandbeseen.org.za

All of the following items are required:

•           Toothpaste

•           Tooth brush

•           Bar of soap

•           Wash cloth

•           An outfit of clothing

•           Educational supplies

•           Sweets

•           A toy

IMPORTANT notes about Shoebox contents:

FOOD:

Do NOT include tinned food, cakes or other perishable food

Do NOT include anything containing nuts

Place chocolate in a ziplock bag to prevent it from possibly melting onto the other contents of the Santa Shoebox

MEDICINE:

Do NOT include medicines or vitamins of any kind

WAR RELATED ITEMS:

Do NOT include toy guns or knives

FRAGILE ITEMS:

Do NOT include glass containers or mirrors

LIQUIDS:

All liquids, like cosmetics or blow bubbles, must be put into a ziplock plastic bag, so that the contents cannot leak out and spoil the Santa Shoebox.

DANGEROUS ITEMS:

Do NOT include any dangerous items such as sharp objects

ELECTRONICS:

Please include batteries with battery-operated toys (please note – these children cannot afford to replace the batteries once they are flat) or choose a non-battery-operated alternative (preferred).

LASTLY:

Do NOT include anything of a political, religious or racial nature

Remember to assess whether the contents of your shoebox are appropriate to the age of the recipient child. For example, don’t give marbles to a 2-year old but give them to a child over the age of 6. Another example would be to give a razor to a teenager but not to a younger child.

4.         The Fine Print

All gifts should be new and comply with the conditions listed above.

Please make sure your gifts are age-appropriate and that you do not send any items which might be swallowed or mistaken for sweets. Should you inadvertently include any item that is not suitable, or might be regarded as dangerous for the intended child, we reserve the right to remove that item and use it for the benefit of the charity.