Where to volunteer and donate in Johannesburg this Christmas

The Johannesburg Dream Center NPC’s annual Christmas Shoebox Project is back for this year’s edition, and they are also in need of donations for Christmas decorations. The centre accepts shoeboxes containing Christmas gifts for boys and girls aged 0 to 18 in under-resourced communities around Joburg who would otherwise not receive any gifts this festive season.

They can be reached on their Facebook page for donors wanting to offer assistance with collection, organising and various outreach projects. Donors must be 18 years or older, though younger donors are welcome provided a guardian has signed the required forms. Physical shoebox donations can be dropped off at Northlands Corner, Northriding.

One Small Act of Kindness supports the homeless, the elderly and children in need around the Randburg area. Their Christmas boxes and holiday food parcel initiatives go a long way in making a difference and giving people back their dignity during the festive season.

This year’s Christmas Drive aims to provide festive hampers, food parcels and special care boxes for children. They are also trying to put together Community Care boxes for the homeless and Golden Oldie boxes for senior citizens. Their previous drives have touched the lives of more than 1,000 community members all over Johannesburg.

They can be contacted on +27 82 513 2042 or info@onesmallactofkindness.org.za for enquiries about how you can pledge your support.

This Sandton organisation looks after orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children in and around Johannesburg. This festive season, Hearts of Hope is putting together Christmas wishlists and gift drives for the children in their care.

The community can pledge its support by donating age-appropriate gifts for two- to seven-year-olds, and volunteering opportunities vary from once-off help to weekly commitments. Alternatively, donors can pledge an amount, typically about R350, toward fulfilling a child’s Christmas wishlist for a gift. You may also visit the organisation and help them package their tailored gifts, which usually include books, toys and treats. The organisation labels these gifts with the child's age and gender.

Those wishing to support are required to fill out an application on Hearts of Hope’s volunteer page.

The centre takes care of 170 vulnerable children in Benoni and has been operating for over three decades.

Over the holiday season, Kids Haven doesn’t just collect toys for its children, but also hosts a traditional celebration for its residents and careworkers. Donations in the form of age-appropriate gifts and toiletries for its older youth and teenage residents are welcome and can be dropped off at 34–38 Cranbourne Avenue, Benoni.

Community members wishing to pledge their support can contact the haven at volunteers@kidshaven.co.za.

The centre looks after more than 140 people living with physical and intellectual disabilities through skills development and income-generating workshops.

These individuals also receive two meals per day at the centre, and for Christmas, T-SHAD’s drive focuses on Christmas food hampers so that no one goes hungry over the festive period. Their hampers are valued at about R750. Donors are welcome to sponsor a full hamper, contribute toward the hamper fund or drop off bulk non-perishable groceries at 484 Dan Tloome Road, Esangweni.

This non-profit organisation transitioned from residential care to Early Childhood Development. The initiatives they usually have in place during the holiday season help with equipping toy libraries and early learning playgroups for vulnerable young children with festive toys, books and educational material. They collect new or gently used educational toys, books and puzzles.

Donors may organise collections at their workplace, school or community group, and the donations are required to be non-perishable food items, craft stationery and hygiene supplies. Community members can also support by helping to sort, clean and categorise the materials at the toy libraries. The organisation also welcomes donations in the form of photography, videography, administration, marketing and social media skills. Details on Cotlands donation page.

One of the most important drives at Nkosi’s Haven over the festive season is an appeal to keep the centre running. They support mothers and children affected by HIV/AIDS with housing, medical care, nutrition, education and other necessities.

Joburg residents can help keep the organisation’s doors open by donating toward daily meals, medical care, counselling and utilities this Christmas. Donors and corporate groups are also welcome to drop off toys, books, stationery and new clothing for children aged 0 to 18. Baby formula, nappies, toiletries and cleaning supplies are also a big need.

Over the holiday season, the community can assist with Christmas gift wrapping, packing food parcels or pitching in at the facility’s festive celebrations. They can be reached on ops@nkosishaven.org or director@nkosishaven.org.

Othandweni provides residential care for around 90 orphaned and vulnerable children from 0 to 18 years of age.

Their campaigns during the festive season are built around wishlists, which can contain items such as new toys, clothing, toiletries and sports kits. In partnership with the IMAGE Foundation, the centre also collects food items and monetary contributions for its Othandweni Christmas Wishlist.

While volunteers are welcome, strict child protection rules apply as the children in Othandweni’s care are vulnerable. Volunteers may be required to undergo various background checks, including police clearance. Othandweni can be contacted on +27 11 984 4117.

The centre supports abused, neglected and vulnerable women and children in the West Rand, and its physical address is not typically published on the internet.

It falls under the Wings of Inspiration Care Centre umbrella body, and their festive drive—which runs across all of their homes—is called the Secret Santa Project. Donors may adopt a child, mother or elderly resident to sponsor with an age-appropriate gift box. These would typically contain toys, comfortable clothing, toiletries, personal care items and books. The community may also assist in gift wrapping, packing the goodie bags and volunteering with preparations for the Christmas celebration. The centre can be reached on +27 71 829 1293 or anthea@wingsinspiration.co.za.

Supporting children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities, the foundation’s programmes are curated with the support of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and other specialists.

The centre’s festive activities usually take place in late November and early December, as it is closed during the December/January school holidays. The learners at the centre create handmade custom gift tags (R5) and greeting cards (R10), and communities can support by placing their orders on 061 719 9384. There is also an annual Christmas Bingo which serves as a fundraising initiative.