Santa Shoebox Project kicks off
Businesses and clubs invited to support charity project for children.
THE countdown for the annual Santa Shoebox Project has begun and boxes filled with clothing, toys and other essential items have been streaming in for distribution to underprivileged children.
Kick-starting the project locally was BMG Richards Bay, who donated 50 boxes to the cause last week.
In 2013 the success of the Santa Shoebox story in Richards Bay and Empangeni resulted in over 1 400 boxes being distributed to children.
This year the Zululand target is set at 3 000 and organisers are confident it can be achieved through support of Zululand’s generous community.
Local project coordinator Nikky Wicks said the last year’s support was a clear indication that collections could double if not triple, placing KZN as one of the largest gatherers of Santa Shoebox in the country.
‘There are many companies in this community who are already pledging not only boxes, but their time, and will also assist with the celebrations where the donated boxes are distributed to the facilities,’ she said.
The concept originated in Cape Town and has grown from 180 boxes being distributed in 2006 to a record 118 274 last year.
