See that happy face, above?

That’s what a kid looks like when they’re opening a Christmas present, and it’s a feeling that most of us can relate to.

For a lot of kids in South Africa, though, Christmas is just another day. They don’t wake up excited at the prospect of gifts, or ready to eat themselves into a food coma come lunchtime.

That’s where Stor-Age and the Santa Shoebox Project comes in.

We told you about the project back in September, so that you could get a head start on where to get your box, how to fill it, and where to drop it off once it’s ready. 

Now that the country is riding on a wave of good vibes and #StrongerTogether, thanks to the Springboks, we thought we would toss you a reminder.

Lead SA CEO Debbie Zelezniak recently spoke to CapeTalk about the initiative and some of the awesome gifts that people have put together over the years.

“The love that goes into these boxes (continuing into our 14th year) never ceases to blow us away.”

“We see hand-embroidered facecloths, we see handmade clothing, we see school supplies that set a child up for a year of education.”

If you’re struggling to get something together on your own, the boxes have also opened up the space for collaboration.

“If one person can’t get an entire box together they can collaborate and create an absolute abundance for these children who would otherwise truly receive nothing at Christmas because of impoverished situations, child-headed households, remote rural villages that don’t have an associated donor base.”

To hear more from Debbie, you can listen to the full interview:

The Santa Shoebox Project is one of the country’s most beloved charities, which explains why it’s already distributed more than 850 000 Christmas gift boxes to children throughout South Africa and Namibia.

If you would like to get involved, follow these simple steps:

• Visit www.santashoebox.org.za to pledge your shoeboxes
• Collect up to four free flat-packed shoeboxes from any of the 50 Stor-Age Self Storage stores nationwide.
• Fill the shoeboxes with eight items as listed on the website, decorate the box, affix the barcoded label, and then drop it off at locations across the country on specified dates.

The items that are to be included in each shoebox include:

• a toothbrush,
• toothpaste,
• facecloth,
• soap,
• toy,
• outfit of clothing,
• school supplies,
• and sweets.

Those simple items are all that’s needed to make this Christmas a special one.

Donors are also asked to include a reusable bag in which the child can carry the shoebox home.

Once you’ve completed your box and dropped it off with Stor-Age, they’ll deliver it to underprivileged children across the country in time for the festive season.

Boom – good deed done.

Oh, and to reward you for that good deed, 2oceansvibe readers also get 50% off their first month’s storage at Stor-Age.

Thanks, you’re a hero.

[source:capetalk]