Tomorrow marks the first day of spring for the Southern Hemisphere! While I am looking forward to the warm summer air and clearing out my cupboards (I love spring cleaning), I am also very excited that tomorrow pledges for the Santa Shoebox project open! Yup, the 1st of September is the first day to start making your pledges South Africa!

Not sure what I'm talking about? 

 

Every year, a few months before the festive season kicks in, individuals have the opportunity to pledge a box (or more) to a child who is less fortunate. It is your duty and promise to fill this box with spoils, according to a list, and then the box is  given to the child who you pledged it to by the Santa Shoebox Project organizers, on behalf of you. While the gift of giving is what is important here, it is also super fun shopping for a child, especially knowing that you will put a touch of joy in their hearts.

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What I like most about this initiative is that you get to choose the child/children who you would like to give your gift to, so you can personalize it and make it even more special. You can pledge to a boy or girl and the ages range from birth to 18 years of age. In many of the "pledge applications" you will even be given the first name of the child, which I think is very special.

Boxes usually need to be packed and delivered to your locations designated drop off point around November the latest. This gives you more than enough time to shop for the list of items you need to include, if you are on a budget you have time to purchase one or two things per month.

The list of items you are requested to pack include the following:

• A face cloth
• Soap
• Tooth brush
• Tooth Paste
• A new outfit (clothes)
• Stationery (age appropriate)
• A toy
• Sweeties

How To Pack Your Santa Shoebox:

Again, because you will have a little bit of information about who your gift will be given to, you can make the gifted items personal too e.g. blue for boys and pink for girls etc. And the same goes for decorating your box, make it unique, make it fun and put your effort into it, it's the thought and effort that counts after all. 

Just look at some of these lovely boxes!

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Celebrate Spring by making your pledge!

Be first in line and get your pledge/pledges in early, start pledging from 1 September 2017!

Go to the following website to pledge: www.santashoebox.org.za

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The concept of the Santa Shoebox project really is wonderful and you do not have to limit yourself by only pledging online. You can pledge to do a box/boxes for a family member, an orphanage you know of, for your cleaning lady's children or even for an old age home! Fill the box with necessities and spoils and gift it to them come Christmas. 

I look forward to seeing your boxes being prepped, decorated, packed and sealed for delivery here on Steemit! Share your pledges!

Team South Africa banner designed by @bearone

Much love - @sweetpea

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