Ever thought that you would love to do something for the less fortunate, but did not know where to start? Here is your chance!

In 2007 the Kidz2Kidz Santa Shoebox Project collected close on 2000 Santa Shoeboxes which were distributed to children’s homes and places of safety in time for Christmas. Everybody who filled and wrapped a Santa Shoebox with wonderful surprises made a difference to a child who may never have received a Christmas present before!

We are in the process of planning for Christmas 2008 and we are looking forward to your involvement. This is your opportunity to help make Christmas special for a specific child in our community.

Our focus is to teach our own children the art of giving by getting them involved in this fun project – choosing and filling the boxes and then decorating and labelling them with the children’s names.

The project will start on 1 September and all boxes will need to be dropped off in mid-October.

Our aim this year is to collect 5000 Santa Shoeboxes.

All items should be new & age appropriate. Please include items from each category.

• TOYS something to love
  Soft toy, tennis ball, finger puppet, yo-yo, building blocks, trucks and cars, doll, dress-up clothes etc.
• EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES something to do
  Felt pens, pens, pencil sharpener, rubber, coloring book, notepad, picture/puzzle book, pencil case, stickers etc.
• HYGIENE ITEMS something to use
  Toothbrush & toothpaste, bar of wrapped soap & wash cloth, hairbrush, comb, hair clips, roll-on deodorant, talcum powder etc.
• CLOTHING ITEMS something to wear
  T-shirt, shorts, dress, pajamas, etc. Can include as an extra – gloves, scarf, sunglasses, cap, hat, bangles, necklaces, clip-on earrings, make-up or hair accessories etc.
• SUGAR AND SPICE something to eat
  Sweets (sell by date to be at least March of the following year – preferably softer sweets – wine gums, sours etc.
• BABY BOX something for the youngest
  Barrier cream/talcum powder, baby soap, item of clothing, bath towel/baby blanket, soft toy, toy/rattle.
  

DO NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING.

• FOOD chocolate, crisps, biscuits, tinned food, cakes
• MEDICINE medicines or vitamins of any kind
• WAR RELATED ITEMS toy guns, soldiers or knives
• FRAGILE ITEMS glass containers, mirrors
• LIQUIDS of any kind, including blow bubbles, shampoo, bubble bath or aerosols
• DANGEROUS ITEMS marbles or sharp objects
• ELECTRONICS cell phones or battery operated toys.
• ANYTHING of a political or racial nature
  

All gifts should be new and comply with the conditions listed above. Please make sure your gifts are age appropriate and that you do not send any items which might be swallowed or mistaken for sweets.

Should you inadvertently include any item that is not suitable, or might be regarded as dangerous for the intended child, Kidz2Kidz reserves the right to remove that item and use it for the benefit of the charity.

1. FIND AN EMPTY MEDUIM-SIZE SHOEBOX. Wrap the lid and box separately in wrapping paper or decorate the lid and box using paint, drawings, clippings from magazines etc. creating a “keep sake” box and at the same time minimizing paper waste from unwrapping the boxes.

2. LABEL YOUR BOX. Stick the label on the outside of the lid – top right hand corner. Add sticky tape to ensure the label is secure. Take care to complete the required information in full. Please print your label/s from the attachment or see below.

3. FILL THE BOX. Use the gift ideas list for inspiration to fill your Santa Shoebox with a variety of age/gender appropriate gifts for your child. Please do not include items specified above.

4. CLOSE THE BOX. Please use string, raffia or any other re-useable material to close and secure the lid on the box.

1. Cut out the label.

2. Complete all information.

3. Stick label on top of your Santa Shoebox lid.

Click here to open the label in a new window.

Please contact Irenè Pieters pieters@intekom.co.za