This winter will be a bit warmer across the south suburbs for those in need thanks to the combined efforts of students and staff at Sandburg, Stagg and Andrew High Schools. A grand total of 8,652 pairs of socks were donated in the month of October to the Educational Support Professionals’ Association Socktober Sock Drive.

Because socks are among the most requested, but least donated items at homeless shelters, District 230’s support staff organized Socktober at each high school with the goal of bringing some comfort to those in need by simply providing a clean pair of socks. New socks of all colors, varieties and sizes were donated. 

• Sandburg High School collected 2,489 pairs of socks. Half will be donated to the Palos Park Women's Club to be put in baskets to give out to the needy. The rest will be taken to Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Church and distributed at the St. Blaise Catholic Church’s pantry in Summit.

• Stagg’s 19 boxes, totalling 2,666 pairs of socks, will be donated to the Daybreak Shelter in Joliet and the Veterans home in Manteno. 

• Andrew T-Bolts collected a total of 3,169 pairs of socks. Roughly 1,000 pairs went to St. Julie's Billiart Roman Catholic Church, 134 pairs of fuzzy socks were sent to Smith Crossing Senior Center, 1,000 pairs were donated to the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, and Catholic Charities Daybreak Center and All God's People will receive the remainder of the socks, along with the 328 pairs collected at District Office.

Recently retired Andrew High School Division Chair Secretary for Social Studies, Foreign Language and Art Nancy Whalen and Rosie Bochantin, secretary to the Math/Business Division at Andrew High School, spearheaded the drive. Bochantin said, “I’m very pleased but not surprised by the generous donations. The D230 family always steps up for those in need. The goal of the Educational Support Professionals’ Association is to continue to find ways to support our students and community.”