Students collect socks for those in need

RIDGEFIELD — Students in the Reaching Independence through Structured Education, or RISE, class at Union Ridge Elementary School recently held a sock drive to help families in need at the Ridgefield Family Resource Center. SOCKtober is a national movement to let students help others in a tangible way, especially as homeless shelters and aid agencies across the nation are experiencing increases in need due to the pandemic and as winter approaches. The Ridgefield SOCKtober drive allows RISE students, who are on the autism spectrum or who face other challenges, to volunteer. This year, students made it safe for community members to donate by holding a two-day, drive-thru drop-off on Oct. 23 and 27 at the school. Rally the Raptor, the mascot of the Ridgefield Raptors, kick-started the event.