Knocking Our Socks Off

Monday, November 12, 2007

A 12-year-old girl launches a campaign today to send socks to soldiers.

Alison Mansfield is a 12-year-old on a mission. Today through Dec. 15, this Fort Wayne, Ind. tween is collecting heavy wool socks to send to soldiers in Afghanistan. Her campaign, called "Socks for Soldiers," is not her first effort to help the troops—not by a long shot. Since 2005, she has collected letters, Girl Scout cookies and personal-hygiene items (from both individuals and corporations) that she ships to military personnel. You can send socks to: D. Mansfield, 7136 Pine Lake Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46814, where they will be packaged for shipment.

This story got us thinking: How can we encourage our own kids to give back to others? For inspiration, we went straight to the source: Alison's mom, Michele Mansfield. "We've always believed that as parents one of our biggest responsibilities is to train our child to give back to her community," says Michele, Mom of one. "We involved Alison in charity events at a very young age, and made sure she always had a role. When she was in first grade, she helped us with a community fundraiser for education, and her job was to ring the bell every time a donation was received." Michele says that her daughter, along with her two cousins, recently raised nearly $4,000 for polycystic kidney disease research. "I just think it's phenomenal," Michele beams. "Alison is a daily inspiration to me." Kudos to Michele for raising such an awesome daughter. You're an inspiration to us!

3 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

My daughter needs to do something to benefit a non-profit this year for her dance company. Anyone have any ideas?

- Kym

Posted 11/12/07 02:49 PM

In high school we collected money and hats for children with leukemia. It would be a good educational experience for the youth too.

- Anonymous

Posted 11/12/07 02:55 PM

Kym- I thought this was great and very Momlogic Bakeless Bake Sale Fundraising Send this letter to your members: You are invited to NOT bake a cake, pie, cookies, or brownies. You do NOT have to find the recipe. You do NOT have to shop for the ingredients. You do NOT have to mix. You do NOT have to cook. You do NOT have to cut. You do NOT have to wrap. You do NOT have to wash dishes. You do NOT have to clean up your kitchen. You do NOT have to deliver the baked product. You do NOT have to stand in the heat/cold/rain to sell the baked product. You can write a check for $10.00 to “name of organization” and stay home and enjoy doing something yourself or with your family!

- BM

Posted 11/12/07 03:13 PM