WHS senior getting soldiers socks

The goal is simple and straightforward: Get fresh socks on the feet of 2,000 veterans and active-duty military personnel.

In order to accomplish that goal, Madison Killion has been sitting under the hot sun in front of ACE Hardware with a big bucket. Folks have been dropping off socks at her patriotically decorated table. They get a smile, a “thank you” and the feeling they are doing some good in return.

So far, she has collected around 1,500 pairs of socks and has a May 31 deadline for delivery.

Madison’s effort benefits the Warm Feet for Warriors program, which is part of the San Antonio-based Soldiers’ Angels organization. Eventually, the socks will be distributed to Veteran Administration hospitals, troops deployed around the world and to veteran’s groups.

Madison came up with the idea and her mother Jenna helped her research worthy charities.

“I wanted to do something to give back to the community,” says Madison. “I also wanted something that related to Memorial Day.”

Madison is headed into her senior year at Wimberley High School, where she’s a member of the yearbook staff, the National Honor Society, the Student Council and is on the varsity tennis team.

Next year, she’ll be applying to colleges with the hope of landing a spot at the University of Texas.

“People have been very nice,” she says. “They tell me I have a kind heart. I have had a few people tell me stories about when they were in the military.

“One man came up and told me how he was stationed at one of the farthest bases and they were out of socks and their feet were bleeding.”

Madison contacted Christy Degenhart at ACE and asked if she could set up a table there. Of course, the folks at ACE have never met a charity they wouldn’t support.

For three days last week — from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Madison sat out there collecting socks. “It was a little hot and windy, but that’s OK,” she says.

She now has three big plastic bins full of socks which she and her mother will take to San Antonio on June 3.

While her days in front of ACE are over, people can still contribute.

Simply order socks on-line and have them shipped to:

Madison Killion (Mail Stop Wimberley)

13501 Ranch Road 12, Suite 103

Wimberley, TX 78676

You may also drop them off in person at the Mail Stop, located at The Vineyard shopping center at 13501 Ranch Road 12, Suite 103.

The Soldiers’ Angels was founded in 2003 and delivers food to needy veterans, packs boxes for those in VA hospitals, assists active-duty families who are expecting babies, and sends “care” packages overseas.

For more about the organization go to: soldiersangels.org.