Students at Mount Pleasant School far surpassed their goal of donating 700 pairs of socks to the Mustard Seed for its Socktober campaign, reaching over 5,000 pairs. “We really had no idea what to expect,” said principal Randy Witte, adding that they initially chose the goal of 700 – two pairs per student, but quickly realized they could increase their goal. “We upped the goal to 3,000, saying that if they got that, they could pie me in the face.” At an assembly Tuesday, students roared with excitement when Witte donned goggles and a hazmat suit and got pied multiple times by students. “I really enjoyed it when it went up the nose and then on top of the head,” said the principal, sarcastically. “But it was worth it. You could tell by the reactions of the kids, they had so much fun.” Grade 6 student Lucas Li, one of the pie-throwers, said he and his classmates take pride in helping people. “We want to raise the socks to help people not be cold. We want everyone to be warm,” said Li, who donated four pairs. The Mustard Seed hands out socks to Edmonton’s homeless population daily, especially in the winter. “Someone who is unhoused in our communities is regularly on their feet, up and about, and so to give someone who doesn’t have access to clothing regularly something warm and clean and comforting, doesn’t just give them warmth, but it’s giving them that dignity and reassurance that there are people in this community that do care about them,” said Mike Cabiltes, community and engagement coordinator with the Mustard Seed. “It’s a big deal.” Cabiltes added that other schools have begun participating in the initiative, which he hopes sees more traction. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Noah Rishaug
