Beurling Academy's Sock Drive: Spreading Warmth, One Pair at a Time
by Marilyn Santucci
Over the past four years, the Beurling Academy community has come together to support those in need by organizing a sock drive for the homeless. With over 8,000 pairs of socks donated so far, they are determined to keep the momentum going this year.
What began as a project led by Amandeep Mann, a teacher at Beurling, has since grown into a school-wide campaign. The initiative was launched during the pandemic as part of a project-based learning (PBL) approach. With the question, “How can Beurling Academy support the homeless population of Montreal?” as their guide, students created slogans, conducted surveys, and worked with local graffiti artist Hans Schmitter to design a logo. The first campaign raised $1,500 by selling mugs printed with the logo, and the funds were used to purchase new socks for the homeless.
“Beyond fostering empathy, the initiative equips students with entrepreneurial skills such as product design, campaign planning, event organization, promotion strategies, and pricing—all transferable to real-world contexts.” says Amandeep Mann.
A few weeks ago, Chris Costello visited Beurling to speak with students about his charity, Toe2Toe. The organization aims to gather donations from high schools, colleges, and the public to provide proper footwear and foot care for Montreal’s homeless population.
Costello launched Toe2Toe after meeting a homeless man who became his roommate while in rehab. As they shared their experiences, and healed together, Costello asked his roommate how he could help contribute to the homeless population. He asked “what do you need” to which his roommate responded: socks.
“Matt (roommate) changed my opinion on what is needed. We often don’t think about socks. We just automatically assume it falls under clothes. But socks, specifically, was the priority. I was in medical school and did my residency is psychiatry in Las Vegas and one of the colleagues was a podiatric surgeon. I introduced him to Toe2Toe and he mentioned how much this was needed due to pathogens that travel from the foot, up the leg, which could lead to amputation.”
Through education, like what is happening at Beurling Academy, individuals can learn how small acts, such as providing clean socks, can make a significant difference in protecting the health and dignity of people experiencing homelessness.
