By: Ainsley Hall
MARTINSBURG — Martinsburg North Middle School’s annual sock sale is set to run Dec. 7-8.
For two days, people in the community can visit the school to get a cheap pair of socks, while also supporting local students and their education.
Several years ago, Royce Too reached out to North Middle School about partnering together for a sock sale. Royce Too is a sock manufacturing company that has been a part of the Martinsburg community for around 50 years.
When the company needed to find a new location for its sock sale, it wanted to find a way to give back to the community by partnering with a local school. Through the sale, it helps raise money for students to go on field trips, participate in fun events and enjoy other school incentives.
Kelsey Dusing, social studies teacher at North Middle, has been a part of the sock sale since it first began. She thinks it’s a great way to work together with the community to help students.
Because of fundraisers like this, students don’t have to worry about money when it comes to learning opportunities.
“We don’t want students’ education to be limited based on their income,” Dusing said. “For example, we took a trip to Washington D.C., which was probably some students’ only opportunity to go. I don’t want them to miss out on that kind of opportunity because they can’t afford it.”
The sale will take place in the school’s cafeteria. Customers will be able to buy a pair of socks for only a dollar.
Then, 20% of the profits will go to the school. Students will also be volunteering throughout the day, helping organize boxes, guiding customers and making sure the sale goes smoothly. The girls basketball team will also be hosting a bake sale at the same time and will help with the sock sale, as well.
Dusing shared that it’s a great opportunity to teach students to give back to others.
“Learning to give back to the community that has impacted you is a great life skill,” Dusing said. “It’s something they will hold on to for the rest of their lives. We want our students to succeed academically, but we also want them to grow up to be great people.”
After being a part of the sock sale for several years, Dusing’s favorite part about the event is seeing how everyone works together to make it work. In her opinion, it is the best fundraiser the school does thanks to all the effort people put into it.
“Royce Too could have done the sock sale all on their own, but they chose to work with us,” Dusing said. “They are a great community partner. They have many other options but still choose to partner with us.”