by Dennis Dalman
An astounding number of new socks (1,083 pairs, to be exact) were collected and donated recently by the 119 members of the Sartell-St. Stephen Cross-Country Team and its coach, Shannan Houghton.
The team did that feat for the “Our Sole to Yours” campaign, which is part of the “Socktober” event sponsored by the St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club.
“Their efforts for the ‘Our Sole to Yours’ campaign was a true gift of giving, helping to keep others’ ‘soles’ warm as the weather turns colder,” said Wanita Parker, president of the St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club.
The donated pairs of socks were delivered to the following organizations: Community Angels, Brenda’s Helping Hands, Anna Marie’s Alliance, Lutheran Social Service and 180 Degrees.
Parker said those agencies all expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the socks.
“Thank you, cross-country team for your compassion, care and service to others,” Parker added.
The St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club meets at 7:15 a.m. every Wednesday at the Scouting America Building in Sartell at 1191 Scout Drive just off of Pinecone Road S. Its mission is to bring out the best in youth, local communities and all the people in them.
The club’s participants are always eager to welcome new members. To learn more about the organization and its good works and how to join it, visit its website at stcloudoptimists.org.
Members of the Sartell Sabres Cross Country Team gather outside the school for a photo taken with a pile of just some of the socks they collected for people in need.
