A magical Christmas celebration for the Santa Shoebox Project

Excitement, smiles and tears of joy were the order of the day on 22 November. The Santa Shoebox Project conducted its annual drive to bring a little Christmas cheer to those who do not have what everyone else does. The smiles on the little faces at the Salvation Army in Benoni were incomparable.

The annual drive aims to bring joy to less fortunate children and reaches thousands of youths across South Africa and Namibia. In 2019, the project reached 100 162 underprivileged children in these two countries, which is a massive accomplishment.

With the donations from various communities, the volunteers from the project could bring smiles to the faces of so many children with a box of Christmas gifts for each child.

“Every year is an against-all-odds story of magic and joy,” said Margie Kostelac, regional manager of the initiative. She went on to say that while every year follows the same charitable path, 2019 felt more special to the volunteers.

Margie reflected on a few happy memories that stood out for her in 2019.

• Of their 14 campaigns to date, the organisation still has new experiences and surprising donations; one of these being a beneficiary child receiving vouchers for driving lessons and to get a driver’s licence.

• Another first for the Santa Shoebox Project was that one of the children gave them a gift as well. To say thank you, a beneficiary child created the most precious shoebox for the volunteers of the initiative. The child filled the box with chips, a sucker, one Chappie, three marbles, and a fresh apricot; truly adorable and so thoughtful.

• The initiative’s theme for 2019 was Let’s Make Magic, and it seems that the project achieved its goal with another first-time experience. A father shared photos and videos with the volunteers of his little girl opening her Shoebox goodies at home. The volunteers have never seen what happens when the boxes are taken home, and getting the videos and photos of the smiling child reminded everyone of why they do what they do.

This year (2020), the Santa Shoebox Project will reach their millionth child, a true reflection that good work and community service can make a difference in the lives of millions of people.

The project has volunteer opportunities in Gauteng, Free State, North West, Port Elizabeth and East London. If you would like to find out more about what they do, or volunteer your time to make a child smile, then call 082 417 3649 or email Margie@santashoebox.org.za.