By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
One Lake Orion High School freshman asked his peers, ‘how many pairs of socks do you have??
Most would say, ‘too many?, perhaps, and with this sentiment, DJ Siterlet helped organize an important fundraiser.?
The answer to his question created a 500 sock donation to the Baldwin Center for Hope in Pontiac after he helped organize a sock drive at Lake Orion High School.?
DJ first learned about the Baldwin Center’s Clothes Closet’s need for donations on Facebook. Interested, he and his mother Toni visited the Baldwin Center early one Wednesday morning and learned the need for socks and other undergarments was great.?
His quest’to find out if there was any way he could help.?
Baldwin Center employee Mitzy gave DJ and Toni a tour and explained some of the services the Baldwin Center provides, such as donating food and clothing, offering education and providing shelter.?
Mitzy told DJ if he wanted to help, that he could’organize a sock drive at his high school.?
At first, DJ thought he would just donate all of his own socks, but after he got to talking to one of his teachers, the idea immediately caught on.?
It was decided that service learning hours would be offered to students who wanted to help.?
Working with Mrs. Cody Swartz, DJ and his peers generated almost 500 socks for the Baldwin Center of Hope.?
‘The whole point is that there’s need, and when you have one person who has a heart to help others, you can accomplish so much,? close friend and Orion Township Clerk Penny Shults said. ‘I’m just really proud of him to hear that he took that next step and helped organize it. I would encourage people to do something similar, to reach out to the Baldwin Center of Hope.?
Shults said the funny thing is, people might think ‘who is going to want my socks. But a lot of people need them,? she said. ‘If you don’t have any, you are thankful for what is given. People need help in so many ways.?
The Baldwin Center for hope is located at 212 Baldwin Ave, Pontiac. ?
The Clothes Closet is open for donations or shopping Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Donations, including food items, diapers, and seasonal gifts can be dropped off at the Family Soup Kitchen between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Call ahead to confirm.?
For questions on how to help or volunteer, contact the main number at?248-332-6101.?