STRUTHERS, Ohio – There will be more warm feet in the Mahoning Valley this winter thanks to the efforts of Struthers Middle School students, who donated 10,000 pairs of new socks to local charities this fall.
For a decade, students at the school have held an annual collection and donation drive.
Students later grew their Socktober initiative – from 1,000 pairs in their initial campaign – by partnering with Bombas, a large sock retailer that donates socks to homeless shelters with every purchase.
Amber Bonilla, a Struthers Middle School teacher and donation drive organizer, said the partnership expanded the number of socks students could collect and give.
“This wasn’t just a donation drop-off,” Bonilla said. “Students from across the district took an active role in writing to Bombas to request the socks and then decided, through thoughtful discussions and collaboration, which local organizations would receive them and how many each group would need for the year.”
During the 10th year of Socktober, the students collected 10,000 pairs of socks and distributed them to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Mahoning District Council, the Dorothy Day House, the Youngstown Blue Coats, the Struthers Middle School Care Closet, the Struthers Senior Citizen Van, Soles of Luv, Clothed in Strength, The Red Door – Christ Lutheran Church in Struthers, Blessed to Bless and Catholic Charities.
“We are so proud of our students, staff and the entire Struthers community for continuing to grow this amazing tradition,” Bonilla said. “We are so thankful for Bombas for their incredible generosity and support year after year.”
Pictured at top: From left are Brayden Sherbine, Alexander Shreffler, Luis Rodriguez, Ricky Kane-Scott, Zane Watson and Tessa Flesher.