How you can make a difference

 

Want to do good? Support Operation Shoebox who aim to make Christmas special for impoverished kids in the Cape.

Founded in 2006, Operation Shoebox collects boxes filled with Christmas goodies for children from disadvantaged communities across Cape Town, South Africa.

Since their inception, Operation Shoebox have raised and donated over R 600 000 worth of goods to 3 800 children across 22 charities in Cape Town and they hope that this year, with your help, they will be able to find sponsors for a further 3 000 children.

Kids range from newborn to 21 years of age so gift ideas are endless.

Up for the challenge? Here's what you need to do:
1. Follow the link to their website here.
2. Register and indicate the age and gender of the child you would like to sponsor.
3. Operation Shoebox will then match you to a child on their list, then mail you their details and what to do. This will include a stick on label for your box.

Making up your box of joy:
Once you have signed up as a sponsor and been assigned a child/ren, here's what you need to do:

Step 1:
Find a shoebox. Cover it in bright paper. Please cover the lid and box separately. Decorate it with cut outs, hearts, stars, ribbon, whatever grabs your fancy. Now comes the fun part!

Step 2:
Go shopping and fill up the box with goodies for your child. You have carte blanche when it comes to what you put in the box.

We would strongly recommend the following:
Clothing. Please make sure it is new, not second hand.
Toiletries. A cake of soap, a face cloth, toothbrush and toothpaste. Deodorants and personal hygiene items for the older kids also welcome.
Stationery and school supplies.
Story books and resource books for school projects.
Your choice of toy. Please make sure they are age appropriate and please do not include toy weapons or guns, glue, or marbles. If your toy is battery operated, please remember to include batteries.
Some sweet treats. So a juice, a packet of crisps, some candy or chocolate are welcome.

*Please keep in mind that the functional rather than luxury should be the determining factor. We prefer the contents listed above over Playstation games, DVDs, cameras and similar.

Want to sponsor a newborns on our list?

We recommend you include the following:
Body wash, lotion and a soft face-cloth.
A baby-gro (sized 0-6 months).
Booties or socks and a beanie.
A blanket.
A soft toy.
A sweet treat for mom - perhaps some chocolates, or something similar.

*You are welcome to include disposable nappies, a dummy, a bottle, etc.

• Gift value should not exceed R250.00 ZAR.
• If you cannot afford to make up a full box, whatever you can contribute will be most welcome and will be used.
• Please do not wrap items in the box individually.

Step 3:
Label your box. Please stick the label included on your confirmation email onto your onto the box. This is very important. Sorting hundreds of boxes can be a challenge if we have to play hunt-the-box. Close the box with ribbon, elastic bands or string. Please do not tape it closed. Boxes are spot-checked, so this is important!

Step 4:
Drop it off at your selected drop-off by no later than 26 November 2010. Easy-peasy!

For more information and to find out how you can get involved, email Kirstie Dewar at  admin@operationshoebox.co.za, call her 0741479423, visit the Operation Shoebox website, or join the Facebook group.

- Women24