GALION — Learning to give back to the community and help others has become a staple in the educational journey for students in the Galion City Schools district. Galion Intermediate School fifth-grade teachers and students held their annual “Socktober” fundraiser for the fifth consecutive year and it was a tremendous success. The students collected 1,629 pairs of new socks, bringing their five-year total to more than 4,000 pairs of socks collected.
Fifth-grade student Elliott Freyman has become fond of doing community service projects. “I love helping people and I think Socktober will impact our community in a way that will inspire other people to help our community.”
The fifth-grade team, after reviewing the idea from YouTube sensation Kid President, decided to launch the “Socktober” fundraiser at the Intermediate School during the 2014-2015 school year. In the three-minute video, Kid President challenged Internet users to change the world.
“Community service is a great way to give to the people who need help,” fifth grade student Collin Peden said. “It feels amazing to have collected over 1,600 pairs of socks to help people have them for the winter.”
The fifth-grade students and teachers expanded the fundraiser last year to include all the classes at the Galion Intermediate School. The top three classes collecting socks included: 3rd grade – Mrs. Kiger’s homeroom (74 pairs of socks); 4th grade – Mrs. Shipley’s homeroom (105 pairs of socks); 5th grade – Ms. Prince’s homeroom (683 pairs of socks).
“I am incredibly proud of our students and staff at the Intermediate School for taking the time to help those in need in our community,” Galion Superintendent Jim Grubbs said. “Student-led community service projects enhance the overall education of students in the Galion City School District, and I’m proud of all our students and staff in the district for finding ways to help the Galion community in a variety of ways.”
For more information about the “Socktober” fundraiser, please contact Paula Prince at 419-468-3676 or email [email protected].
