Kirkwood Middle Schooler Collects Socks for Kids in Need

The Huffington Post has selected North Kirkwood Middle School sixth grader as its Greatest Person of the Day for her efforts to help kids in need.

Abbey was inspired to do something for others after she was a patient at Missouri Baptist Hospital. During her stay, she decided that kids needed something to do as many kids are there for a long time.  After talking to some friends and her parents and researching some options online, Abbey designed a mobile library book cart where kids staying in the hospital can check out books.

After the book cart project, Abbey was invited to become involved with Healthy Kids Express. Healthy Kids Express provides health care to under-served children in the St. Louis area including hearing and vision screenings, physical exams, scoliosis checks, immunizations and tests for anemia and lead.

Abbey noticed many of the kids who visited Healthy Kids Express did not have socks or had old socks with holes in them. Abbey, along with a classmate and her teacher Mr. Haymen, started a group called Others First that celebrated the small and large acts of other people that make a difference in the community.

The trio launched a sock drive called “Box O’Sox” at Keysor Elementary.  Through the generosity of Keysor students, parents, staff and the community, Box O’Sox collected 878 new pairs of socks that were donated to Healthy Kids Express.

Abbey's efforts to help others recently earned her the recognition of “Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy" at the 32n Annual Awards Luncheon and Celebration of National Philanthropy Day. 

Abbey is the daughter of Bryan and Kristen Painter. Abbey also attended Keysor Elementary School in the Kirkwood School District.

Other activities Abbey enjoys include dancing, playing the viola in the school orchestra and spending time with friends.

This article was submitted by the Kirkwood School District. 

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