On Saturday December 1 and 8, the AJ Foundation, based in Lentegeur, held their third annual Santa Shoebox drive.
The AJ Foundation is a registered, non-profit company that focuses on youth development and community upliftment in the Cape metropolitan area and aims to break the cyclical nature of the downtrodden by helping youth to realise their own potential through providing opportunities for them and giving them access to much-needed resources via education, sport and various other platforms.Â
This year close to 300 boxes were distributed to children in Mitchell’s Plain and children’s homes in Nyanga, Macassar, Rondebosch and Woodstock. The foundation worked together with Macassar Baptist Church, distributing an additonal 74 boxes to them.
“Our collaborative efforts with the public and other organisations is instrumental in the success of the event’, says Lauren Swartz, who volunteers at the foundation.
“Some of the recipients endure such grim circumstances which often leads to an incredibly emotional experience, but in the same breath, reminds us to be grateful for what we have and to remain sensitised to the need of others,”says Lyndsay Paice, who leads the project this year. “The 2018 Santa Shoebox Project was a truly humbling experience. Two weekends of magic, laughter and love. Thank you to all who contributed.’’
For more information or to get involved, visit www.theajfoundation.co.za or follow their Facebook page: The AJ Foundation.