Texas Border Business
PHARR – Christmas is coming early for elderly residents at three Pharr-San Juan-Alamo area nursing homes as a PSJA middle school has begun a sock fundraiser to gift nursing home residents cozy socks this holiday season.
Liberty Middle School had custom socks designed with their logo and started the fundraiser online. With every two pairs of socks ordered; the campus will receive a pair of cozy socks to share with the residents of area nursing homes. The socks on the site range from $10 to $12 a pair.
“This is a beautiful way to give residents of the community a little something extra this holiday season,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “And for those still looking to do something special this season, not only will the socks make the perfect stocking stuffer, they will also benefit our elderly residents.”
Liberty Middle School, an International Baccalaureate-designated campus started this as a community fundraiser but wanted to go a step further in celebration of the season so the campus started organizing ways they could also gift the residents the sights, sounds and warmth of the holidays straight to the nursing homes.
Which is where the campus’ Fine Arts Department, which consists of members of the band, choir, orchestra, dance and visual arts club, came together for a virtual showcase called Mosaic de Arte. The campus will be sharing the virtual recording, which can be watched here, on Monday, December 21, along with virtual greeting cards and 100 care packages with the cozy socks to residents of the San Juan Nursing Home, Gardens at Brook Ridge in Pharr and Las Palmas Healthcare Center in McAllen so they can happily enjoy the holiday season.
“Being true to our motto of Liberty Cares, we applaud the efforts of our Fine Arts students and teachers to extend their heart and hands of service to the residents and staff of these nursing facilities at a time when visits are not allowed,” said Liberty Middle School Dean of Instruction Julie Mason. “To be able to go into the facilities to warm a heart, bring a smile to a face or be a source of joy is the true spirit of the season. To be a part that— it’s priceless!”
Choir Council President, Varsity Treble Choir member and LMS Vocal Studio member Zoe Lopez shared she loved being able to work on the showcase because it made her think of how much it meant to her grandfather when he listened to her perform.
“It is awesome that I could share my music with nursing homes in my area because a lot of people aren’t able to see their families due to the pandemic, so it makes me happy to know that they might find some comfort in hearing our music and it hopefully reminds them of the joys of the season,” the 8th grade student said. “As we would go over our music it would make me feel happier thinking that others would enjoy it.”
In addition to cozy socks, members of the Liberty Middle School Choir program also made dozens of masks for the residents of the nursing homes that will be gifted to them along with the socks.
“I love the fact that by doing what we love, we get to help people in our community,” said Choir Council Vice-President, Varsity Treble Choir member and LMS Vocal Studio member Melissa Cordova. “There are a lot of people out there who don’t have masks because they can be expensive, but we still need to stay safe. By having the choir program contribute these masks, we also get to help the elderly community health-wise. It’s really awesome seeing what our love for choir can do.”
Anyone who would like to purchase socks as part of the fundraiser can do so by clicking here.
