1,000 pairs of socks donated by employees delivered to needy

Waldorf employee Dawn Ramaker (center) delivers socks
to workers at a shelter in Mason City.

Waldorf employees donated hundreds
of pairs of socks during
the holiday season.
(Jason Eck)

Approximately 1,000 pairs of socks donated by Waldorf College faculty and employees during the holiday season have been delivered to agencies that will get them to those in need.

Waldorf employees Dawn Ramaker and Cindy Carter recently delivered approximately 750 pairs to an emergency shelter in Mason City. The socks will be distributed to five shelters, Ramaker said.

“They were very grateful and appreciated the donation,” she said. “A woman, Jan, helped us. She was recently dislocated from her home along with her two children due to a house fire where many of their personal belongings were destroyed. Another woman told us that she would be moving out as she had secured housing in Garner.


"It was a humbling experience, as you just never know what life is going to throw at you and what you might need even down to a pair of socks,” Ramaker added.

The remaining socks will be donated to local schools and daycares in Forest City, Lake Mills, Garner and West Hancock, Ramaker said.

Waldorf employees more than doubled the goal of 450 pairs during the sock drive that culminated during an employee Christmas party Dec. 14. Staffers were encouraged to wear their favorite pair of socks or slippers while donating to the drive. They also decorated paper stockings with creative themes.

Staff members from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Ala., also participated in the drive. CSU, an online university, and Waldorf are owned by Mayes Education.
Waldorf took part in the drive through the non-profit organization Hannah’s Socks. It gives new socks to people in need and serves homeless and domestic violence shelters in the Midwest.

Waldorf departments had fun with the competition with playful e-mail campaigns to encourage one another to give. Staffers donated socks of all types and colors and for men, women and children.

The event was sponsored by the college’s Social Committee, a group of employees who plan a variety of social events for college staffers throughout the year, such as Halloween and Christmas parties.