The project was spearheaded by the founder of Kidz2Kidz, Dee Boehner in Cape Town in 2006. In 2007 Irene’ Pieters was appointed  national co-ordinator  and in 2008 the Santa Shoebox Project joined forces with a similar organization from Somerset West.

The project has grown in leaps and bounds.  The numbers have grown from 180 Santa Shoeboxes  in 2006,  to 2000 boxes in 2007 and overshot the target of 5000 to close on 8000 boxes  in 2008.  This year the Santa Shoebox Project is in operation right across South Africa and negotiations for ventures into neighbouring African countries are well under way for 2010.

The management is run entirely by volunteers. Kind hearted people who give their time, effort and expertise without being remunerated for it. Satellite Projects have sprung up not only in the big cities but include many small country towns as well. All run by volunteers taking the responsibility of acting as co-ordinators for their areas.

The project started in Cape Town in 2006 spearheaded by the founder of Kidz2Kidz, Dee Boehner. In 2007 Irene’ Pieters was appointed  national co-ordinator  and in 2008 the Santa Shoebox Project joined forces with a similar organization from Somerset West. The project has grown in leaps and bounds.  The numbers have grown from 180 Santa Shoeboxes  in 2006,  to 2000 boxes in 2007, 8000 in 2008, 16000 in 2009, exceeding the target by 30% - 50% year on year.

In 2009 the Santa Shoebox Project  reached into all corners of South Africa and negotiations for ventures into neighbouring African countries are well under way for 2010. The management is run entirely by volunteers. Kind hearted people who give their time, effort and expertise without being remunerated for it. Satellite projects have sprung up not only in the big cities but include many small country towns as well. All run by volunteers taking the responsibility of acting as co-ordinators for their areas.