CIB Insurance joins Santa Shoebox Project
As part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives for 2010, CIB Insurance Solutions (CIB) teamed up with the Kidz2Kidz Santa Shoebox Project, an annual nationwide initiative with the aim of collecting as many uniquely personalized Christmas gifts as possible for socially disadvantaged youth in South Africa.
The Kidz2Kidz Santa Shoebox Project, a non-profit organisation established in 2006, collects Christmas presents for socially disadvantaged children throughout South Africa.
Debbie Spies, co-ordinator for the Johannesburg East area at the Kidz2Kidz Santa Shoebox Project, says the aim is to teach children about the joy of giving. “Children are asked to personally create the gift boxes by decorating and labelling each shoe box individually. The project is unique in that the donor knows the name, age, gender and residence of the child the gift is intended for.”
Frans Nel, head of marketing at CIB, says the company was very keen to take part in this initiative as a means of assisting underprivileged children. “We are always looking for ways to assist in the upliftment of the youth of our society but it is also important for them to feel loved and the Kidz2Kidz Santa Shoebox Project is a perfect way to bring some joy to these children at this time of year.”
He says CIB readily accepted the responsibility of becoming one of the main drop-off points in the eastern Johannesburg area during the collection process. “Because of CIB staff assisting with the collecting and checking processes, nearly 4 000 boxes were received at the premises and the shoeboxes were distributed to more than 30 disadvantaged children’s homes in the area.”
Nel says the people of CIB were very generous with their time as well as the Christmas boxes they donated. “Our people gladly gave up their lunch hours as well as weekends and evenings to assist with the project. On the last day of collection volunteers worked until 10 pm ensuring that each child received a gift with all the required items. CIB members also contributed towards this initiative by raising money through donations and various other projects.
