Elmore Park Students Collect Socks for Socktober
Students in Bartlett are working to reach their goal of 4,000 donated pairs of socks for those in need.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Students at Elmore Park Middle School are participating in the annual Socktober campaign to collect socks for local organizations. The class aims to gather 4,000 pairs of socks this year to benefit homeless shelters and hospitals in Memphis.
Why it matters
The project allows students with exceptional needs to develop academic skills while engaging in community service. Organizer Rachel Taylor coordinates these efforts as part of Shelia Smiles, a tribute to her mother who passed away in 2023.
Students aim to collect 4,000 pairs of socks this year, exceeding the 3,600 pairs gathered last year. This marks the tenth year the class has participated in the nationwide initiative.
The players
Rachel Taylor
She teaches functional skills at Elmore Park Middle School and organizes the annual sock drive.
Kid President
He is the personality who launched the original Socktober campaign in 2011 to encourage charity.
Shelia Taylor
She was the mother of Rachel Taylor, and her memory is honored through the Shelia Smiles community projects.
The details
Students at the Bartlett school facilitate collections through an Amazon wish list or physical drop-offs at the campus. The initiative honors the memory of Shelia Taylor and serves as part of the broader Shelia Smiles community project network.
Timeline
2011: Kid President launched the original Socktober campaign.
2013: Socktober expanded into a nationwide initiative.
2023: Shelia Taylor passed away and the Shelia Smiles project was created.
October 2026: The current period for student sock collection.
Market Landscape
The Socktober initiative has evolved into a national charitable model since its inception in 2011. Local efforts at schools like Elmore Park mirror the broader trend of grassroots organizations leveraging established philanthropic frameworks to serve community needs.
Residents in Bartlett can support the students by purchasing items from the school's Amazon wish list or by dropping donations off directly. These contributions help ensure that homeless shelters and hospitals in Memphis receive essential winter supplies.
The takeaway
Participating in established drives like Socktober provides a tangible way for students to learn about the needs of their community. Those interested in supporting similar efforts can reach out to local schools to ask about current wish lists or donation drop-off schedules.
Further reading
Learn more about local giving initiatives in our Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Channel 3 WREG-TV Memphis.
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