GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Santa’s Shoebox project, which brings delight annually to underprivileged children, will this year be supporting children from five local facilities, four in Graaff-Reinet and one in Aberdeen. For the protection of the children, the facilities may not be named at this stage, and the recipient children are identified only by their first name and their age.
For those who are new to the project, the aim is to give a shoebox full of treats to the underprivileged children at the facilities.
Members of the public sponsor these gifts, and can choose which child they would like to sponsor by name, sex and age. Most donors enjoy choosing the contents of the box for themselves, but cash donations can also be made towards a specific child, and the Graaff-Reinet team will do the rest.
Each box, which should be covered in bright wrapping paper or stickers, should contain some basic hygiene products (a toothbrush, toothpaste, face cloth and soap), as well as some treats. A small pack of sweets, age-appropriate toy, educational stationery supplies, and a new outfit of clothes complete the box. For many of these children, it will be the first time that they have ever had a brand new outfit of clothes- and for many donors, this is the gift they will get the most pleasure choosing!
The recipients range in age from babies to 18-years-old, and for each one, the contents will be treasured.
The donor does not have to be an individual, and in previous years, groups of friends or workmates have clubbed together to make really special boxes. It could also be undertaken as a class project at some of our local schools.
Full details and instructions are available on the website. Donors need to register, and choose to pledge at the Graaff-Reinet centre.
Once packed, the shoeboxes need to be dropped off at Loveleigh Skin and Body Professionals in Caledon Street, between 12 and 15 October. The parties at the selected venues to distribute the parcels will be scheduled for later that month.
Local organiser Kitty Viljoen told the Advertiser that at present, 29 boxes have been pledged- and there are over 300 children at the five facilities! Anyone with questions is welcome to contact her on 049 891 0576.
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