Los Alamos High School DECA Collects Socks for Santa Fe and Espanola Homeless Shelters
“Serving our local and regional communities is a meaningful component of the DECA experience, helping students learn the importance of teamwork and working toward a common goal,” DECA Advisor Dr. Sharon Hurley said, as the Los Alamos High School chapter launched its annual winter donation drive.
During the month of November, the Los Alamos High School (LAHS) DECA Chapter is collecting new socks to support homeless shelters located in Santa Fe and Espanola. This community service effort marks the sixth consecutive year that participating students have chosen a sock drive for their annual project.
Collection boxes for the drive are stationed across multiple community and school locations. Donors can drop off items at LAHS in A Wing, D Wing, and E Wing (Activities Office), as well as the Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS) Front Office, the lobby of the Los Alamos Schools Credit Union, New Beginnings Church, and the Elks Lodge.
Last year, the chapter partnered with Los Alamos Middle School, the Los Alamos Public Schools Credit Union, the Elks Lodge, and the LAHS NJROTC. Through those partnerships and community donations, the group collected over 1,200 pairs of socks in November of 2025.
“It is rewarding to know that this service project brought a measure of comfort to so many people. This year, we hope to match or exceed the number of socks collected previously,” Hurley said.
For the current campaign, the chapter has set a target of collecting 1,300 or more pairs of socks. The initiative once again relies on collaboration with the Los Alamos Public Schools Credit Union, the Elks Lodge, LAMS, and the LAHS NJROTC, alongside new partner New Beginnings Church.
Following the conclusion of the November collection period, LAHS DECA members will transport the donations to regional shelters in mid-December. While the primary focus of the drive remains socks, collection sites also accept additional winter items such as gloves, scarves, hats, and blankets.
“This service project encourages us to look beyond ourselves and focus on meeting the needs of others in our community,” Hurley noted. “Although our students devote significant time to preparing academically for competitions, projects like this reinforce the importance of service and demonstrate how even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. We are very grateful for our community partners who are willing to help us with donations and collections.”
DECA operates as an international business organization featuring high school and collegiate chapters focused on marketing, finance, business administration, and hospitality and tourism. Members spend the academic year preparing for regional, state, and international competitions while also participating in an annual service project for their local or regional area.
