Businesses unite behind Santa Shoebox Project 2011

Over the past five years the heart-warming Kidz2Kidz Santa Shoebox Project has touched the hearts of many thousands of South Africans. The project, which will by way of a volunteer social and community network collect 70 000 Christmas gifts for children at orphanages, crèches and care centres across the country this year, has grown exponentially over the years, earning the respect and support of the business sector. This year a number of companies have put their weight behind this inspiring project, pledging monetary or logistics support. Among these are Laser Logistics, PEP, Aspire Solutions, FIVESTAR PR, Fairheads Trust Company, Media24, Glamour magazine, Khuluma magazine, Oprah magazine, the Woods Today, Waltex Carpets, Cellucity, Dreamcatcher Productions, Thuso and Protea Hotels, to name a few. Some have been on board since the onset, either contributing by way of a monetary donation, or in terms of delivering pro bono services, or others with a major group effort by their staff who pledge Santa Shoeboxes as part of their companies’ corporate social investment programme. Says national co-ordinator of the Santa Shoebox Project, Irene Pieters: "The continued support of the business sector in the form of sponsorship plays a very important role in facilitating the sustained growth and outreach of the project. This translates directly into more gift boxes in the hands of happy children from vulnerable social backgrounds – some of whom have never received a Christmas gift before. We are blessed to have the backing of not only some of South Africa’s leading businesses, but also smaller companies who have pledged services that are essential to the logistics and success of this growing project. This year we have more than doubled our target of Santa Shoeboxes – an ambitious, though worthwhile effort. To make this happen, we require more resources, and would like to invite companies, big and small, to get involved in some way in this amazing project, which benefits the recipient and donor alike. Equally we invite people of all ages and from all walks of life to pledge a Santa Shoebox or two this year." Established in 2006, the Santa Shoebox Project is an initiative of the Kidz2Kidz Trust, a registered Public Benefit Organization (PBO number 930031301 - Public Benefits Organization Kidz2Kidz Trust), that offers assistance to children in need. It was spearheaded by the dynamic duo behind the project, Kidz2Kidz founder Dee Boehner and national coordinator Irene Pieters, and is driven by the simple desire to make a difference in the life of a vulnerable child. With ‘teach your child the joy of giving’ as the essence of the project, donors are encouraged to involve their own children in the process of personally selecting the name of a specific child, and putting together his or her individualised, age-appropriate Santa Shoebox gift according to the guidelines provided. Uniquely, the donor knows the first name, age, gender and care institution of the child the gift was bought for. It is this personal touch that endears the project to adults and children from all walks of life. How it works: To participate in this heart-warming project and teach your own children and those around you the joy of giving, simply register online, where an easy step-by-step procedure will guide you through the process. Donors need to: • Register online as a donor NOW at www.santashoebox.co.za • Select the name of a recipient of your choice (or more than one), as well as your most       convenient drop-off point across the country • Decorate and fill an individualised gift box according to the specified guidelines • Label the box with the recipient’s name • Deliver the Santa Shoebox to the selected, pre-determined drop-off points on specified    dates (between 20 October and 4 November), from where the organisers dispatch the    Santa Shoeboxes to the various homes and centres.

2011 Santa Shoebox Project launches in September

September marks the launch of this year’s heart-warming Santa Shoebox Project, which has been collecting Christmas gifts for thousands of underprivileged children throughout the country since 2006. The target for 2011 is 70 000 Santa Shoeboxes, (more than double that of 2010), which will be dispatched to more than 600 children’s homes, orphanages and other child care institutions across the country, in time to place a happy smile on many a child’s face this festive season. 

With ‘teach your child the joy of giving’ as the essence of the project, donors are encouraged to involve their own children in the process of personally selecting the name of a specific child, and putting together his or her individualized, age appropriate Santa Shoebox gift according to the guidelines provided. These include some practical necessities, such as toothpaste and toothbrush, face cloth and soap, as well as sweets, educational supplies, a toy and an item of clothing. 

Registration is now open – enter into the spirit of Christmas early this year and register on-line at www.santashoebox.co.za. The gift-wrapped Santa Shoeboxes need to be dropped off at central distribution points across the country between 20 October and 4 November (details and directions provided on the website).

A prefect Santa Shoebox. One stop shop for your box contents

We are very excited to announce an innovative sponsorship for this year’s project, pledged by PEP, Southern Africa’s largest single brand retailer. PEP - who also provides a one-stop shop for donors to buy their Santa Shoebox contents, will sponsor 6000 cartons to transport the collected gift boxes to the various children’s homes, crèches, educare centres and places of safety across the country. In further support, PEP has pledged a monetary donation that will effectively be determined by the number of Santa Shoeboxes collected this year.  Thank you PEP for this much needed sponsorship!

Santa Shoebox Project wins it's first award !

The Kidz2Kidz Santa Shoebox Project has won its first award! Glamour magazine Women of the Year Award for "Most inspiring Women in Charity in SA" went to Dee Boehner (Founder Kidz2Kidz) and Irene' Pieters (National Coordinator Santa Shoebox Project). As a result of this award many more children will receive a gift this year - for many, their first gift ever. Thank you Glamour Magazine! For the full story get your own copy of Glamour Magazine, August edition.

Times Live

Last week Santa Shoe Boxes Irene' Pieters and Dee Boehner were featured among Nine South African women who were honored for their passion, vision, talent, enthusiasm and style. Please see the segment on Irene' and Dee below. For the full article go to www.timeslive.co.za.

'It takes courage to stand up and stand out," said Irene Pieters on Monday night at the Grace Hotel in Rosebank, Johannesburg, as she accepted accolades along with her partner Dee Boehner from emcee Alan Ford at the Glamour Women of the Year awards. If that's true, then the nine South African women being honoured for their passion, vision, talent, enthusiasm and style are paragons of courage - there's no doubt that each of them stands out. When you put eight exceptional women in a room together (one was in Los Angeles, US), the glamour stakes just go up and up.

Click here to see the article on Irene' and Dee.

On your marks..

As the shoe stores very quickly run out of empty shoeboxes during September / October, we urge you to start collecting your shoeboxes (medium sized) now. It is good fun for you children to decorate the boxes, so get them involved now, as the last minute rush often interferes with the possibility of an end result with "soul".

Here is a reminder of how to pack you box.

What have we been up to...

The first half of the year has rushed by and with Cape Town in the midst of an Indian Summer, Christmas almost seems close. The Kidz2Kidz Santa Shoebox Team has been hard at work. We had our first SSB conference in April, business strategy sessions in May, confirmed our 35 satellites (15 in 2010) in June and right now the place had upped considerably with the collection of beneficiary information and name lists for inclusion on our website.

Numbers have not been finalised, but with Satellites up from 15 in 2010 to 35 in 2011 and recipient facilities up from 350 to around 611, doubling the number of boxes from last year (again!) is a huge possibility. Imagine that - around 60 000 children receiving a Santa Shoebox in 2011! And you will play an integral part in that great achievement! Kick off is planned for 1 September.

Welcome

Welcome to our new blog. We will be keeping all our followers updated on Santa Shoe Box news, functions and deadlines. Please keep checking to stay in the loop regarding our fantastic project.