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Recently, first graders at Washington Irving Elementary School were collecting socks for “Sandy’s Kids” – a relief effort dedicated to providing essentials to children affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Nicknamed “Frankenstorm,” Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast of the United States in late October of last year, leaving close to 150 dead, thousands without homes and millions without power.

Tamela Wingfield, a first-grade teacher at Washington Irving, headed up the effort.

“The children were learning about pairs,” Wingfield said. “I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to put counting by twos into practical use.”

Immediately after the storm passed, national organizations began helping the more than 1,500 children who were displaced by Sandy. These organizations distributed meals, clothing, diapers and other necessary items.

“I think this is a wonderful way for the children of our community to learn how to lend a helping hand when a natural disaster strikes our nation,” said Katy Pruitt, Principal at Washington Irving Elementary. “The children think it is neat that they very well might be helping another first grader in New York or Connecticut have a new pair of warm socks.”

The Durant children collected socks for about a week.

“We put all the socks into a big pile in the middle of the room. We began our lesson on even numbers and how to count by twos,” Wingfield said.

When the classroom finished counting the pairs, there was a problem.

Carol Robinson, the Classroom Assistant in Mrs. Wingfield’s room said, “There was this one, lone, purple sock left in the center of the room. The children searched the classroom and their backpacks for its mate, but it couldn’t be found.”

When asked where the missing sock went, first-grader Colton H. said, “(We) threw the socks in the air for a picture and one blew across the playground. I ran super-fast to go get it. I think maybe another one blew across the playground and no one saw it.”

Mrs. Wingfield’s first grade class at Washington Irving Elementary School collected 183 socks in all for Sandy’s Kids.

Anyone who would like to donate to the recovery effort for Hurricane Sandy should contact the Red Cross.