JAG program holds sock drive for Salvation Army Centers

Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates has many goal areas for their students to achieve by the time they graduate high school. One of those goals is to practice service learning or serving others in their community.

This goal led to the creation of the Alabama JAG statewide service project. Established in 2023, five Alabama JAG student ambassadors were tasked with leading a sock drive in their schools and communities. These socks were then shipped to the Salvation Army center in Washington, D.C. to be used in the angel tree gifts.

Recognizing the local need, Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates turned this effort into a community-focused project. Student ambassadors were tasked with not only leading the projects at their school but also securing a donation point for all of the socks. The decisions were carefully made based on the needs of the counties being served by the Salvation Army Centers.

The South District chose to donate the socks to the Troy Salvation Army Center which serves Pike, Crenshaw, Barbour and Bullock counties. On Monday, Dec. 9, 2,671 pairs of socks, as well as several hats, shoes, and other items were presented to the donation center. Attending this ceremony was Alabama JAG Vice President Hallie Goodman of Straughn High School, Student Ambassador Savannah Edgar of Highland Home High School, and Student Ambassador Jamarcus Lowe of Hillcrest High School, Conecuh County Workforce Development Center.

Troy Salvation Army representative Donna Kidd reflected on the value of this large donation.

“We try to meet human needs without discrimination, and it’s the little things that mean the most. You all helped us with what seems like a little thing, but you just did it in a big amount. No matter how old you get or no matter where you go in life, never stop thinking about how you can bless someone else,” Kidd said.

This service project emphasizes Alabama JAG’s drive to not only serve their students but also their communities. With a grand total of 4,664 pairs of socks donated statewide, this project shows the passion these students have to give to others.

“We are delighted to see Alabama JAG students bring joy to others through their collective efforts,” said Alabama JAG State Director Mandy Nichols.