WHO WE ARE     It has been said that our country is the most generous and giving in the world in terms of donating time and money to charitable institutions. When I look at the number of volunteers who sign up to work at our office and warehouse even on week-ends, hot summer days, and holidays, I can totally attest to that sentiment. Our volunteers come from every walk of life and are absolutely committed to making our charity succeed. Some of our most tireless workers are our senior citizens and I can honestly say that I don't know from where they get their energy. Sometimes they stand on their feet for hours and still out perform all of us who are still in our teens!     Some of us who are still in high school have learned so much from working with older people! Their stories about the Depression and difficult times have made us think harder about what we want to do with our own lives. Their jokes and sense of humor keep us in stitches. And all this takes place while we are supposed to be assembling, labeling, and sorting our socks!     Our international students are among our most outstanding volunteers! Many of them have given hours of their time to help us translate our words of inspiration and our banners that have been written by school children into the dialects and languages of their native countries. Sometimes they will hand carry our socks to various orphanages and schools in their native countries when they return home to visit. They often give us the best advice of what thickness or type of sock is best for the climate in their own country. What is particularly touching is that while these students are struggling to learn and adjust to the new culture and challenges of living in a foreign country, they are still taking time to help others. Because of the impact that these students have had upon my own life, I have taken the time to start a World Cultures Club at my own school where students my age can experience the richness of diversity and foreign culture of which I have been so fortunate to be a part.     Finally, I have to talk about my team leaders. Because I am a high school student who is in school all day and can't come to the office until after school, there is no way that SOX IN A BOX could exist without our team leaders! They are all my best friends! They care! No matter who walks in our office door during the day from nursery school students who love to color and decorate our Chinese take-out boxes to service organizations who have to learn all about sorting, labeling, and packing all sorts of socks in a very short time, our accomplishments would be short of nothing without our volunteers' commitment to making this world a better place… and I will never ever forget the role that they have played in helping so many people who are in need!     EVERY PENNY DONATED TO SOX IN A BOX GOES TO PURCHASE NEW SOCKS OR HELPS PAY FOR SHIPPING EXPENSES. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO ONE CONNECTED TO OUR CHARITY THAT RECEIVES A SALARY OR COMPENSATION OF ANY KIND! For this reason, I can never forget or give sufficient thanks to our board of directors, donors, sponsors, and supporters for their belief in not only our charity but, also, in my volunteers and me! The members of our board of directors represent all walks of life and include some of the most outstanding professionals, civic and religious leaders, and the most talented, focused, dedicated, and giving people in our city! SOX IN A BOX could not have gotten off the ground without their guidance and without their help! Without the support of corporate sponsors like Wal-Mart, Ford Motor Company, Goldman-Sachs, and American Express, our charity could not exist. The number of individual supporters who have simply sat down and wrote me a check when I speak at functions or appear at an event has left me speechless. One of the biggest surprises of my life has been opening up the mail at my office and finding a check in the mail from someone who has heard about our organization by word of mouth. Their generosity and selflessness absolutely takes my breath away!     YOU ARE ALL MY HEROES; I WILL NEVER FORGET EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!!!!! You, too, can volunteer! Please feel free to write or call us using the contact information listed below!