On Dec. 4, McQuaid Jesuit began hosting a charity drive collecting new pairs of socks to be donated for children in need. McQuaid used the “Joy Of Sox” format to help children during the Christmas season.

At the beginning of December, McQuaid asked their students to bring in brand new pairs of socks to be placed on a tree and donated at a later date. McQuaid students are no strangers to fundraisers and donation events like this. Just before this event started, McQuaid held a long event titled “The Great Ignatian Challenge” where students were asked to bring in canned goods and compete with their peers in other grade levels.

The season of giving lasts year round at McQuaid so it is no surprise that students collectively donated hundreds of pairs of socks to be given to The Willow Domestic Violence Center located in Irondequoit. This event organized by McQuaid’s own Campus Ministry  and Senior Executive Council was a hit with students and a great way to bring them together around a time like the Christmas season.

The original Joy Of Sox foundation is a non profit organization based in Ragnor, Pennsylvania. Their goal is exactly what McQuaid’s goal was, giving new socks to those who need extra assistance in their lives. McQuaid focused their sights on childrens socks to be donated to children who have been affected by domestic abuse. 

“ I think being able to give back to hundreds of children especially at a time like Christmas really shows the character of our school and I’m proud of that,” says Jonas Williams, ‘21.

As a senior, Williams has seen his fair share of donation and fundraising events at McQuaid and knows every event is special to whatever part of the community McQuaid is helping. 

The McQuaid community centers itself around the words of Saint Ignatius Loyola and their efforts to help those in need are in large part due to the great moral codes and ethics that are taught at the school.