Operation Shoebox | Putting together your shoebox

I love being able to share in the joy of giving at Christmas time. I have been involved for three seasons and it is wonderful to know that I am helping make a child’s Christmas more magical - Cathy Kilfoil

Contact Details

Email: admin@operationshoebox.co.za
Fax: 0866 501 290

Our bank details

Operation Shoebox
Nedbank, Mutualpark
Savings Account
Universal Branch code: 198765
Account number: 2002524203

Once you have signed up as a sponsor and been assigned a child/ren, here's what you need to do:

Step 1

Find a standard size shoebox or plastic container with a lid. (We reserve the right to repack boxes that are non-standard, so please, no boot, cake or photocopier paper boxes.)
Cover it in bright paper. Please cover the lid and box separately.
Decorate it with cut outs, hearts, stars, ribbon, whatever grabs your fancy.
Please make sure the decorations are flat / one dimensional. We stack hundreds of boxes on top of one another during sorting and delicate Christmas baubles and similar decorations can get damaged.

Step 2

Go shopping and fill up the box with goodies for your child. Please take note of the guidelines below.

So a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, a sun dress or similar. Please make sure clothing is new.

A cake of soap, a toothbrush, a facecloth or sponge and some toothpaste. If you choose to buy liquid soap, please seal it inside a transparent plastic bag (in case of leakages). Personal hygiene items such as deodorants, etc. are welcome for the older kids.

This could include anything from colouring books and crayons to a pencil bag or resources for school projects. Please use the age of your child/ren as a guideline. Please do not include glue or scissors.

Please make sure these are age-appropriate, and if battery-operated, please include batteries. Please do not include toy weapons or guns or marbles.

What's Christmas without candy? We'd recommend a Liqui-fruit, a packet of crisps and some candy. Remember that chocolate melts, so bag any candy or chocolate separately.

If you have chosen to sponsor one of our newborns, or a child under two years:

A baby-gro or similar. You are welcome to include booties, socks and a beanie.

Body wash, lotion and a soft face-cloth. Body wash, baby cream, disposable nappies etc also welcome.

A soft or educational toy. Every child needs a teddy bear.

Boudoir biscuits, Cheese curls and marshmallows are welcome. Please also consider including a sweet treat for mom.

Please keep in mind that although luxury items are always well received, many of these children do not have the basics. Please do not spend more than R250 on the contents of your shoebox.

Please do not wrap items individually.

Step 3

Attach the label with your child/ren's unique ID to the top right hand corner of the box. This will ensure that your box reaches the right child. (Sorting thousands of boxes can be a challenge if we have to play hunt-the-box …)

Prestik the R5,00 handling fee to the inside of the shoebox lid, then close your box with ribbon or string. Please do not tape it closed. We spot-check boxes, so this is important.

Step 4

Drop it off at your selected drop-off - easy-peasy!