November 15, 2005 > Girl Scouts ensure warm toes this winter

Every year, as winter approaches, Gomes Elementary School PTA has hosted a drive to collect warm and fuzzy socks for toes that are thankful for the covering as the mercury dips during the cold months. Lori Cronland, leader of Girl Scout Troop 1333, noted that this year no one appeared to be leading organizational efforts and the sock drive was in danger. "I asked my girls if they would like to tackle it, since it seemed a shame not to continue a Gomes tradition." An enthusiastic response guaranteed the drive and, the scouts volunteered their time as part of Make-A-Difference Day activities. The goal was to exceed the record of 1,312 socks collected in the prior year...and do this in the course of one week although previous drives lasted twice as long.

Large paper socks, made by the scouts, hung from the door of each classroom. Kids could write their names on these giant socks as they brought in their donations. A special sock donation box was decorated for the office. After school each day, the Girl Scouts would gather to write the donator's name on paper socks, color coded for the number donated, and hang them up in the cafeteria. Setting a new record, the scouts collected a grand total of 1,315 items that were delivered to Tri-City Volunteers the following week.

This record-breaking effort was due to the efforts of Troop 1333 and their moms who logged over 132 hours. Scouts: Aesha Rajan, Allie Medeiros, Allison Chen, Amy Hoffman, Anna Chen, Christie Chong, Grace Chow, Juliana McCuaig, Lindsey Dobyns, Marisa Harris, Melissa Ng Moms: Ann Chen, Kong Pak, Lelia Ng, Meera Rajan, Daphne Leung, Judy Chow, Rosana McCuaig, Linda Medeiros, Carol Aizawa.