Socks & Service
Ely Chapman students practice community service
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Students at the Ely Chapman Education Foundation learned the importance of giving back to their community through the creation of a sock tree, which was then donated to the homeless drop-in center on Front Street in Marietta.
Through a partnership Ely Chapman has with The Right Path for Washington County, which promotes other services such as referrals for families who seek information on drug and alcohol abuse prevention, the students in the SUNSHINE Learning Station after school program take in the value of community service and caring for others.
"We've been collecting the socks for the warming house because it's rainy season and folks deserve to be warm, dry and not get sick," said Lori Ullmann, the executive director for Ely Chapman.
Allison Barnes, a student at Marietta College who works with The Right Path, worked with the students to teach them about homelessness and how they can be involved in outreach.
"The response from the kids when Allison first came and talked about homelessness was that they were a little surprised," Ullmann said. "They had seen them, but it didn't hit them that there was anything they could do."
Barnes also allowed students to learn how they can be involved in non-profit initiatives.
"She had some exciting ways to work with and educate the students about homelessness, providing outreach to the homeless, as well as a little recycling project that is aimed at nursing homes," Ullmann said. "I believe the students have learned quite a bit and enjoyed the hands-on process."
Word on donations for the sock tree began to spread throughout schools and families, and a radio public service announcement further spread awareness.
Friday, the excited students counted a total of 138 pairs of socks to hang on their tree, according to Ullmann.
"It was a wonderful experience because when they counted all the socks today after school it was a big deal," Ullmann said. "This is the first service learning project that the students at Ely Chapman have done and it is something we will be continuing."
Jackson Patterson, a dedicated volunteer at the drop-in center on Front Street, was present to receive the sock donations from the students after their tree was complete.
"I am proud to see that the community is taking initiatives to support the drop-in center and understand the struggles humans go through," Patterson said. "Even as children they had questions about homelessness … they are still important questions because as they grow older they learn that people from all walks of life sometimes need a helping hand."
Jenna Pierson may be reached at jpierson@newsandsentinel.com