FLETCHERS LAKE: A Grade 4/5 class at Holland Road Elementary School in Fletchers Lake has shown just how far a simple act of kindness can go.
The idea sparked after the class watched a Kid President video about kindness and learned about “Socktober,” a movement encouraging people to donate socks for those in need.
From there, the students read an article about the initiative and discussed how even the smallest gesture can create a ripple effect of good.
It wasn’t long before the students decided they wanted to make a ripple of their own.
“We started by learning about Socktober and how even a small act of kindness can create a ripple effect,” said their teacher, Nicole LeGrow. “The students were inspired and wanted to do more.”
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And they did.
What began as a sock drive quickly grew into a full winter donation effort.
The class collected socks, coats, hats, mittens, and other warm essentials for people in the community who may be struggling as temperatures drop. They partnered with The COAT Society and its Big Give Project, which provides free, gently used winter items to anyone who needs them on Nov. 15.
Student Reese Shearer said she was proud of how much the class gathered.
“A lot of these things have been sitting in closets for years and probably would have stayed there without being worn,” she said.
For Finn Sankey, the project was an eye-opener. He said the experience taught him a lot and encouraged him to support more local fundraisers in the future.
Classmate Jocelyn Ardley said the initiative helped her understand the impact of even small gestures.
“This project made me appreciate how lucky I am, but it also opened my eyes to how one small act can make a big change,” she said.
“When I look at how much our class alone collected, I can’t help but think—what if next year we made this a school-wide or even community-wide initiative? Imagine how many more people we could help.”
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Nathaniel Monette said he was surprised to learn how much need exists right here at home.
“You always hear about other countries needing help, but you don’t always see that there are people right here in our own town and schools who need support too,” he said.
Along the way, the class tied the project into curriculum goals, connecting themes of empathy, civic engagement, and community action to their writing and discussions.
All donations were picked up earlier this week, and the class is thrilled knowing their efforts will directly support families at the upcoming Big Give event.
Many are already brainstorming how to make next year’s effort even bigger.
For LeGrow, watching the students learn what kindness can accomplish has been the greatest reward.
“They learned that they’re never too young to make a difference,” she said.
“And this project showed them exactly that.”
