The Shoprite Group in conjunction with Age-in-Action is once again sponsoring the Pretty Things for Little Things campaign that encourages customers, especially senior citizens, to put their creative talents to work by making clothes and toys for children in disadvantaged communities.

Items can be made from any material, as long as it is practical, durable and safe. There are four categories, namely “soft toys”, “blankets”, “clothing” or “other”. Entries can be submitted between 1 June 2016 and 31 August 2016 at any Shoprite or Checkers store in South Africa or at any of the Age-in-Action regional offices.

More than 160 000 items have already been collected and distributed to children across South Africa since Pretty Things for Little Things was launched in 2003.

Although the initiative is open to everyone, only senior citizens 60 years or older are eligible for prizes.

Three winners per category will be selected in each province. The provincial winners will receive vouchers to the value of R2 000, R1 500 and R1 000 for the first, second and third places respectively. National winners receive vouchers to the value of R5 000, R3 000 and R2 000 for the top three positions respectively. The vouchers can be used at any Shoprite, Checkers or Checkers Hyper store across the country.

Ingrid Cupido, CEO of Age-in-Action, says senior citizens, often face isolation and depression. “Pretty Things for Little Things is the only campaign of its kind and acknowledges senior citizens by giving them purpose, even if it is for a short while. They look forward to this time of the year, because they know they will be making something that will bring joy to a child out there,” she adds.

For Shoprite, the Pretty Things for Little Things campaign is part of the Groups #ActForChange programme, an ongoing commitment to giving back to the local communities in which it operates.