Reach for your Slippers Campaign

Exchange your slops and stilettos for slippers to help a child fight a life-threatening illness

On Friday, 3 August 2012, the Reach for a Dream foundation calls on all South African residents across the nation to “reach for their slippers’”, and to wear these pseudo-shoes to work or school to help a child fight a life-threatening illness. 

Confused as to how leaving the slops or stilettos in the closet and shuffling through the office in your fuzzy flats could help a child diagnosed with a serious disease?

The “Reach for your Slippers” Cape Town campaign works like so:

• 1. Go to your nearest Milady’s store or contact the Reach for a Dream Cape Town branch (Tel: +27 (0) 21 555 3013 or Email: Genevieve@reachforadream.org.za)
• 2. Buy a ‘Slipper Sticker’ for R10
• 3. You now have the ‘right’ to wear your slippers on 3 August 2012 to work or school in a show of support and solidarity for the Reach for a Dream foundation.

The funds and awareness raised through this campaign will help the non-profit put a smile on the face of child.  

Or more specifically, as the South African branch of the globally acclaimed Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Reach for a Dream organisation is devoted to the same purpose made famous by its Yankee counterpart: “fulfilling the dreams of children of any race, colour and creed between the ages of 3 and 18 faced with a life-threatening illness.”

Since 1988 the foundation has been helping toddlers to teens combat the gravity of a serious disease by making dreams, from surprise birthday parties, to laptops, to shopping sprees, come true. These realised fantasies temporarily allow kids to return to their childhood and leave the pain, stress and anxiety related to a life-threatening illness behind.

In 2011, the organisation’s “Reach for your Slippers” campaign raised R175,000 in KwaZulu-Natal; a figure that inspired the team to expand the fundraiser nationwide. Thus, in 2012, each of the seven Reach for a Dream offices across the country is spearheading the initiative and encouraging members of their province to roll out of bed and remove the mu-mu (nightgowns), but leave the comfy footwear in place. 

Those especially taken with the idea can also become ambassadors; meaning, you can purchase stickers on consignment and sell them to colleagues, family members, friends or even the sleepy looking stranger on the street. 

If interested in becoming part of the “Reach for your Slippers” campaign in Cape Town, either go to your nearest Milady’s store or contact Genevieve via email (Genevieve@reachforadream.org.za) or via telephone (+27 (0) 21 555 3013 to buy a ‘slipper sticker’.

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Looking for more of a long-term charitable commitment? Check out our places to volunteer in Cape Town page.