This past spring, our family went to Washington D.C to visit our landmarks and learn about our nation’s history. We visited the monuments, the museums and our state’s representatives. We had a great time! But we also saw the harshness and realities of life and we were saddened by the number of homeless there, especially our veterans. We found it ironic considering that we were in a town where there is a monument honoring their service on every corner.
We have two kids and it definitely impacted them, particularly our son. Our son Nicolas is ten years old and loves everything military, appreciates our veterans and their service. He says he wants to attend Annapolis and serve with the US Marine Corps. So I wasn’t surprised when on more than one occasion, he emptied out his little wallet with his spending money and gave them what he had. They both did. I can’t tell you how very proud we were of them. I think that there are times when we wonder if we are doing this “parenting” thing correctly. I knew then that we were doing something right.
We came home and two weeks later, he was still talking about it. He kept saying, “It’s just not right.” As parents, we jumped at the opportunity to use this as a lesson on giving and service to others. We talked about how there was homelessness everywhere and how it affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Also, that if he felt that strongly, he should do something about it. And he did! He decided that he wanted to collect gently used men’s shoes and socks for homeless veterans and call it SOCKS & SOLE-DIERS. As of now, he has collected over 60 pairs of shoes and 300 pairs of new socks to benefit the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative. He has received donations from the Waukesha Deputy Sheriff’s Association and the American Legion Post in Pewaukee.
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If you want to help Nicolas and his cause, visit, like and share his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Socks-Sole-diers/206820786154334 and visit his fundraising page at YouCaring.com at http://www.youcaring.com/nonprofits/socks-sole-diers/90566 . Every penny he collect goes towards the purchase of new socks and shoes. Every little bit helps!
Nicolas will be at the 2nd Annual Operation Honor “A Salute to Veterans” on November 9th at Waukesha North High School. Visit www.ci.waukesha.wi.us/operation_honor for more information. He will be collecting gently used men’s shoes and new socks of all kinds. Please come and honor our vets and we will take those shoes that aren’t being worn and put them to good use! If you have an event that Nicolas may be able to participate in with his collections, please visit his Facebook page and let us know. Thanks in advance for your support!!
