Just for Kids, a group of University of South Florida Lakeland students, wants to “Strap ‘Um On and Sock it To ‘Um. ”

Belts and socks, that is.

“As hard as it might be to believe, many students just do not have belts and socks to wear to school,” says student Diane Boczkowski. “Those items are required under the school board’s dress code, so we are collecting new or used belts and new socks for students in Polk County public schools.”

A collection box is located in the Student Government Association office at USF Lakeland. Other boxes are located at various local churches.

From left, USF Lakeland students Amilee Milstead, Janette McDonald
and Diane Boczkowski collect belts and socks for students
in Polk County public schools.

“We try to move the collection boxes each week to get more areas covered, but we can arrange a pick-up anywhere it is needed,” says Boczkowski, who also works as a network manager for the Polk County School Board.

Just for Kids grew out of a human relations class at USF Lakeland, where students divided into groups and chose a community service project to direct and conduct for the spring semester. Along with Boczkowski, the group includes Amy Biship and Amilee Milstead.

“The students have worked very hard on this project to make it successful and should take great pride in what they have accomplished,” says Susan Hurley, coordinator of academic programs, who also teaches the human relations class. “Service learning projects are an important addition to classroom learning and help to provide a better understanding of human relationships and the needs of so many people in Polk County.”

Collections will be accepted until April 8. Donors have a chance to win a HP color printer and two 1 gig flash drives. For more information contact Diane Boczkowski at (863) 534-7440, ext. 26, or diane.boczkowski@polk-fl.net