The Senior Santa Shoebox project focuses on giving back to the elderly in the Western Cape with simple gifts such as warm blankets and playing cards.
Cape Town, South Africa (30 October 2017) – Day in and day out we are busy, swooped up by the mad rush of life, raising children, working to save for old age, running around with friends and having fabulous holidays. Then we start to age, suddenly, life seems to slip our grasp and the next moment, we are retired and sitting around basking in the memories of our youth.
The hope is that our children and loved ones will always be there, but the reality is that they, too, are busy being swept up by the same mad rush of life. In the elderly community, many hardly ever see their families. It is a sad truth; as humans, we fear age and push it from our minds, and this often leads us to neglect our older loved ones.
Fear not, there is always a chance to make a change. You can easily give back to the elderly community. Whether it be in time, donation or a little festive gift.
The Senior Santa Shoebox charity has gone from strength to strength since starting in 2015. Last year, we covered their handout day and it was just the best, so we wanted to share info with you in case you wanted to get involved this year.
In 2015 we created 47 Christmas boxes for one home in Plumstead, last year we created 258 boxes for 3 homes and this year, so far, we have created 807 gifts for 12 different homes, right across the peninsula, from Woodstock to Vrygrond near Muizenberg. As well as homes in Stellenbosch and Hermanus.
The charity is based in Cape Town but it is very simple to get involved. Anyone from anywhere can get involved. They are mainly a Facebook-driven project.
This year we have had 2 boxes sent to us from Switzerland, one from France and two from the UK.
The charity has got 12 homes on their list this year. A person need only contact Angela on their Facebook page and request the name of an elderly person. You would then find a shoebox (or nice-sized bag), decorate it and fill it with some goodies. You can request information about your elders as some of them have some wishes.
“If the person making the box asks me to find out about their Granny or grandpa, I try and go and chat to them. Sometimes all they want is a “big big big packet of Simba smoked beef chips” or a Milky Bar chocolate.
Sometimes the request is simple and sad as “I miss eating fruit”. And sometimes the request is face sunscreen which a pension budget cannot cover”
The boxes are slowly being delivered, the deadline is the end of November. Their Southern Suburbs drop-off point, Groot Constantia Wine Farm, is giving anyone who delivers a box a wine-tasting voucher for two. To sign up you can contact Angela on their Facebook Page or email here.
Here are some of the things people include in their boxes:
- Basic Toiletries: Face Cloth, Soap, Shampoo, Body Lotion, Soft Toothbrush, Toothpaste. Most items should be catered to sensitive skin.
- Snacks and Sweet Treats: Chocolate, Chips, Biscuits, Biltong, Dried Fruits, and Vitamin Sweets like Super C or Energade Gums.
- Reading Material: Magazines, Second-Hand Large Print Books.
- Games: A Deck of Cards, Crossword Books.
- Clothing Items: Knitted Scarfs for Ladies, Hats for Men, T-Shirts for Men, Beanies for Ladies, Nighties, Slippers.
You can see a full list below.
There is no limitation on box size and they love when it is delivered in a fabric bag, these are useful for the elderly in wheelchairs as they hang them on their handles while moving around the home.
You will be happy to hear that even though the charity started out as a festive way to give back, they now also focus their efforts throughout the year.
In March we celebrated International Wheelchair day and collected 6 new wheelchairs for Erica Place in Athlone and together with the help of Springfield Convent school we bought a chair for a 92yr lady old in Plumstead.
For Father’s day we worked with a bike club from Fish Hoek who collected 44 thick blankets for the men in Heideveld. It was a huge thrill for the men at Oakhaven Place on Father’s Day as 14 bikers revved their way to the home to deliver.
Below are some of the images from last year’s Christmas party.
Other Festive Charity Ideas:
Reverse Advent for Shelters | School Bags for Children in Diepsloot | Senior Santa Shoeboxes | Christmas Bags for Germiston Children | Nappies & Formula for Abandoned Babies | Hope House Christmas Party
Stay tuned to the website over the next few weeks as we help promote different charitable things you can do leading up to the festive season. If you have a festive project, let us know by popping us an email here.
Sources: Supplied
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Santa Shoebox for the Elderly is a great idea BUT apart from Facebook ( which I do not wish to join!!!) how do I contact Angela???
We have sent you an email x
We would like to contribute to this worthy cause, Santa Shoebox for the elderly, I would like to contact Angela directly, not through Facebook if thats possible please.