Students from St. James District High School’s Social Justice Club collected $1500 for the ToastyToes Guelph campaign at a school wide fundraiser held on November 20.
Each month students from the St. James Social Justice Club examine a different social issue within Wellington County. With the weather getting colder, the club turned their focus to Helping the Homeless – which happened to coincide with the annual Toasty Toes campaign.
“Since ToastyToes supports the homeless and the less fortunate population here in Guelph, we figured that this was a perfect way for us to contribute,” said Kaya Bartlewski, student leader of the Social Justice Club at St. James. “There was just something so special about the simplicity of donating socks that pulled us towards this campaign. I think it truly shows that even something that most people would consider to be small, like socks, can make a large impact.”
Supporting those in need in our community, ToastyToes Guelph provides new warm socks to men, women and children who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness in Guelph. Socks are important – and are often one of the least donated clothing item.
“Wet, torn, or worn out socks can lead to a multitude of foot-related health issues,” said Allison Mitchell, founder of ToastyToes Guelph. “New warm socks really do make a difference, especially as we go into the colder season. Dry, warm feet are healthy feet.”
While the ToastyToes Guelph campaign is usually focused on the collection of new warm socks to donate to community organizations within Guelph, with COVID-19 protocols in place organizers had to pivot to a fund-based campaign with a goal of collecting $15,000 from October 10 to December 10.
“Since protocols made it impossible to collect socks this year, our Social Justice Club brainstormed ways to safely participate in this worthwhile program,” said Denise Burns, a teacher advisor for the Social Justice Club at St. James.
Shifting to accommodate safety protocols, members of the club encouraged students to contribute a toonie, the estimated cost of a pair of socks, and enlisted the support of St. James' homeroom teachers to collect donations.
Despite being in their cohorts, the student population came together to donate $1500, 10% of the total campaign goal, and enough to purchase 750 new warm socks.
“It is heartwarming to see how many students in our St. James community are willing to actively participate in this inclusive club that supports one another in showing love and concern for the wider community,” said Burns.
Although the ToastyToes Guelph fundraiser at St. James has come and gone, the Social Justice Club is encouraged by their peer’s support of this campaign and look forward to seeing what they can achieve with future initiatives.
“I'm very proud of our community and the St. James Social Justice Club,” said Bartlewski. “This campaign truly showed the impact we can make when we all come together and collaborate during difficult times.”
For more information on future St. James DHS Social Justice Club events follow them on Twitter (@lionsnewstoday) or visit the school’s website (stjames.wellingtoncdsb.ca) for updates.