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The JOG Trust

The Santa Shoebox Project originated in Cape Town in 2006 with a humble 180 shoeboxes. In 15 years it has grown in leaps and bounds, with the number of Santa Shoeboxes donated reaching a total of 1 017 741. The shoeboxes are distributed to more than 1000 recipient facilities each year, through more than 60 satellites around South Africa and Namibia.

The success of the Project can largely be attributed to its personal nature � donors give gifts of essential items and treats to children whose names, ages and genders are known. The minimum 8 required items are a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a wash cloth, sweets, a toy, school supplies and an outfit of clothing � all new, unused and age-appropriate.

The project is supported by an extensive network of volunteers across South Africa and Namibia � kind-hearted people who give freely of their time, energy and expertise without remuneration. It also relies on the generous backing of various corporate sponsors pledging monetary or pro bono support. Many companies, involving their staff members pledge Santa Shoeboxes as part of their Corporate Social Investment programmes.

There are 3 initiatives within the Santa Shoebox Project: the Traditional Santa Shoebox, the Virtual Santa Shoebox and the SSB Legacy.

TRADITIONAL SANTA SHOEBOX -
Santa Shoebox donors choose their beneficiary child/ren by name, age and gender and are given each child�s clothing size.

Each personalised shoebox reaches the very child for whom it was pledged. Using the Santa Shoebox app, donors are able to track their shoebox from the moment it is pledged to the magical moment it is handed to the child.

Every Santa Shoebox is required to contain eight specified items, chosen with the underprivileged child at heart. These items are a toothbrush, toothpaste, facecloth, soap, sweets, school supplies, a toy and an outfit of clothing � all new, unused and age-appropriate. Every shoebox is checked upon drop off to ensure compliance and to protect the safety of the children.

VIRTUAL SANTA SHOEBOX -
These shoeboxes are purchased online by donors. The generic Virtual Shoebox is available all year round, while the personalised Virtual Shoebox is made available from Mandela Day onwards each year. These shoeboxes meet the needs of donors who live too far from drop-off points and are delivered to children living in far-flung rural areas. Components are chosen by the donor on the Santa Shoebox website and the shoeboxes are packed by the Santa Shoebox Team. A Virtual Santa Shoebox contains the eight specified items, as well as additional items, such as a lunchbox and books. A Virtual Santa Shoebox costs R450 plus an optional delivery fee of R30.

SSB LEGACY -
All operating costs of the Santa Shoebox Project are covered by its main corporate sponsors. As part of the Project�s March to A Million drive, all privately donated funds over the past four years have been accruing under the Santa Shoebox Legacy fund. In 2020 a portion of these funds were allocated to COVID relief projects, enabling the project to support a number of other NPOs in reaching their UN Sustainable Development Goals such as hunger relief, food security, tackling gender-based violence, clean energy, and clean water and sanitation. In addition, a cr�che was built in the Loskop District of rural KwaZulu Natal.

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