Aliso Viejo, CA – February 19, 2013 -----

A student’s dream about helping others has developed into a national community outreach project called Sox Warm Hearts. McKenna Matranga, a senior at Saddleback Valley Christian School in San Juan Capistrano was charged with creating a senior project to be presented at the end of the school year.

Her immediate thought was a charity-related project because of her realization of how fortunate we are. Research showed McKenna that socks are often forgotten when people donate clothing and shoes for the underserved. Research further showed that many foot problems can be attributed to the underserved having shoes, but no socks.

In discussing her project with friends, she was amazed to receive the support of friends across the United States. The result: Sox Warm Hearts has developed into a nationwide charity outreach program with ambassadors working on behalf of the charity to collect and donate socks to worthy charities. She presently has ambassadors in New York, Chicago and Peoria, Illinois, in addition to local ambassadors.

McKenna’s initial dream of a local outreach program has now well exceeded her dreams; she expects to manage a nationwide program, collecting up to 10,000 pairs of socks this year. She also knows the charity will not end with the culmination of the school project; rather, McKenna has the vision of continuing the Sox Warm Heart program for many years to come.

This young woman’s dream has become an exciting reality — and is a fine example of what one person can do with initiative, energy and passion. To contact McKenna about her charity, please email benchmark@benchmarkadv.com or visit soxwarmhearts.com.