The second year of Monsignor Michael O’Leary Catholic School’s (MMO) “Socktober” fundraiser was even more successful than the first.
Sarah Geer, grade 1 teacher at MMO, says the whole school was involved. “They were fully on board, right away,” she says.
Her students made posters, created a chant, made daily announcements over the school’s public address system reminding everyone about the fundraiser, and even held an assembly to rally others to collect fresh pairs of socks.
With help from students from St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School, 834 new pairs of socks were donated to the Manna Food Bank Monday morning.
“The kids are so happy they’re able to give a little piece of joy to somebody,” says Geer.
Macauley Cowan and her best friend Juniper Dutcher were one of the many eager students helping collect socks. “We have no words,” says Cowan. “It was so awesome.”
On top of helping people, Cowan says she was thrilled to be one of the people who got to make announcements every morning about the fundraiser.
Dutcher says they made sure the people only brought new socks. “Every day we get more and more socks,” she says.
A handful of helpful hands brought the boxes of socks to the food bank’s van. Neil Somerville, Director-at-Large with Manna, joked they could use their help at their headquarters at 345 Ecclestone Dr.
Pamela Brown, also with the food bank, says they appreciate the work done by the students. “Everyone needs food in their tummy and warm feet,” she said, adding the socks will be handed out over the next few months.
“It’s extremely heartwarming, and feet warming, to see young people getting involved,” she says.
Last year, 743 pairs of socks were donated to Manna.