A Big Ass Fro, A Wiggle and A Blogtoberfest

Yes, its that time of year again.  Time to think about others that are less fortunate during the festive period.  

Last year, my girls and packed our shoe boxes together.  We went shopping for contents, carefully chosing gifts that were age appropriate (as you get the name and age of the child you are giving to). We neatly placed all the items inside, wrote little cards for each child and wrapped the boxes with beautiful colourfuul Christmas paper and lots of love.   


I took the opportunity to teach the girls about giving to those less fortunate.  It gave us a chance to talk about orphans, to talk about appreciation, to talk about the joy of giving.

This year is no different.  

Santa's Shoebox Project originated in Cape Town in 2006 and since then, the project has grown in leaps and bounds.  Tthe number of Santa Shoeboxes has grown from a humble 180 boxes in 2006 to 32000 boxes last year.

Join me in helping them reach their target of 70 000 boxes this year!  Go sign up and pledge today.

If you Yanks can't sign up for Santa's Shoebox Project, because you're half way across the globe, sign up for Friday's Pay It Forward Blogfest. Just go do it, Plonkity Plonkers.

It's gonna rock yer face off!

Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Yeah

Santa's Shoebox Project

Santa Shoebox Project is an inspiring community initiative, that collects uniquely personalised Christmas gifts for socially disadvantaged youth.  Equally, the project is about parents teaching their own children the joy of giving.

A gift to be shared with a child from a distinctly vulnerable social background, who may never before have received a Christmas gift. The project is unique in that the donor knows the name, age, gender and residence of the child the gift is intended for.

The project started in Cape Town in 2006 spearheaded by the founder of Kidz2Kidz, Dee Boehner.  In 2007 Irene’ Pieters was appointed  national co-ordinator and in 2008 the Santa Shoebox Project joined forces with a similar organization from Somerset West.

Since then, the project has grown in leaps and bounds and the numbers have grown from 180 Santa Shoeboxes  in 2006,  to 2000 boxes in 2007, 8000 in 2008 to 16000 in 2009, exceeding the target by 30% - 50% year on year. In 2009 the Santa Shoebox Project reached into all corners of South Africa and in 2010 also into Namibia and Botswana. Each country supporting their own children.

The management is run entirely by volunteers. Kind hearted people who give their time, effort and expertise without being remunerated for it. Satellite projects have sprung up not only in the big cities but include many small country towns as well. All run by volunteers taking the responsibility of acting as co-ordinators for their areas.

How can you help?

The prosperity and success of this project is dependent solely on its volunteers. You can choose between being a volunteer or  a co-ordinator of a satellite project in your area. 

If you would like to volunteer some of your time and expertise please mosey on over to their website and fill your details in.

Help them reach their target of collecting 26 000 boxes this year.  I know I will.