Caring can knock your socks off
AA Boys and girls show off their shoes, sans socks, for the final day of the “Sock it to ‘em” sock drive on January 26.
By Liz Rector; photo courtesy of American Academy
Many would be surprised to learn that the most requested item of clothing from the nearly 45,000 homeless children in Colorado is socks. For the past five years, American Academy (AA) students have banded together for the “Sock it to ‘em” sock drive.
This year, each classroom was given a decorated box with which to collect the socks and there was a special push to donate infant, toddler and children’s socks. The drive took place from January 16 to January 26. On the final day of the sock drive, students enjoyed a come to school without your socks day, where they could exchange a new pair of socks for the experience of going without their socks.
“It just so happened that it was a cold day, so it was a very authentic experience for the students to see what it is like to go without socks on a wintry day,” said fifth grade lead instructor, Lynda Hernandez.
Last year, the entire school collected more than 2,000 pairs of socks, and this year was just as successful. In total, students donated 2,343 pairs of socks. The sock drive was once again organized by the Parent Teacher Organization and each grade at AA participated.
The “Sock it to ‘em” sock drive is the brainchild of Castle Pines Village resident Susan Elizabeth Lee. Lee is the chair of the board and founder of the “Sock it to ‘em” sock campaign, which has grown to include 40 states with the help of Phillis Shimamoto.
“Most kids have a “sock drawer” and it is second nature to go and get fresh socks to slip on their feet before going to school. For kids who are in need, they do not have a sock drawer … we have to be that for them,” Lee said.
