Kylie Kent, an 8th grade student at Greece Athena Middle School, decided that she wanted to help the homeless community in Rochester stay warm this winter. In conversations with her sister Rayna, a social worker, she found that socks are an overlooked need for unhoused people living on the streets during the winter months. Kylie decided to hold a sock drive.
With the help of her mother, Lori Kent, she set up a drop box where people could make donations. Lori Kent works at Mr. Beenz Diner, 1941 Buffalo Road in Gates. Mr. Beenz owner, Jimmy Porteus, offered to let Kylie set up a drop box at his restaurant. Kylie designed the box and included a sign stating her request for donations of socks and other winter clothing such as hats and gloves, and explaining her motivation to have a sock drive. She placed the drop box in the entry way at Mr. Beenz Diner.
The community responded in a very generous way with donations of over 350 items including, not only socks, but also hats, gloves, coats and blankets. All donated items will be distributed to the homeless through Gary Harding and his Outreach program that drives the streets of Rochester looking for homeless, and providing them with essentials and warm clothing. Children’s items collected by Kylie will be donated to local Women and Children Shelters.
Kylie said, “I want to thank everyone that donated for their generosity, it was unreal, I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Lori Kent said of her daughter, “Kylie always does selfless, really great things. I am so proud of her, she did this all on her own.”
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