More than six bins of new socks are on their to children in need in the Miami Valley thanks to Oakwood elementary students and Shoes 4 the Shoeless.  Students donated the socks as part of their annual Fun Run Oct. 18.

The Fun Run is part of the character education collaboration between students and staff at Harman School and Smith Elementary.  This year, the program, called Timber, focuses on service and caring.  The morning of Oct. 18, elementary students ran from their schools to Mack Hummon Stadium where they donated socks and then heard more about the mission of Shoes 4 the Shoeless from the group’s founder and executive director Kris Horlacher.

“We really tried to relay the message about why we were asking for the donation of socks and I believe the kids understood.  Socks are such a basic necessity so when Kris [Horlacher] talked about how many kids don't even have one pair of their own, it was impactful.  The kids received the message beautifully, their attention was awesome,” Smith teacher and run organizer Lisa Henry said.

Horlacher says her organization will distribute more than 100,000 pairs of socks to local children this year. 

Timber activities will continue monthly throughout the rest of the school year, focusing on service and caring.  Some students will also have the opportunity to participate in additional Shoes 4 the Shoeless events.