Dartmouth Middle Schoolers gave the gift of socks this Christmas. Piles and piles of socks.

On Dec. 22, right before students were released for winter break, the middle school made a sizable donation of socks to GiftsToGive.

Principal Darren Doane said the school-wide drive to collect as many socks as possible started with The R.A.R.E Community Project, an after school group that partners with local, non-profits organizations.

“Those students helped facilitate this process,” said Doane.

Doane said that, in the past, the school has donated books and students have visited the GiftstoGive headquarters to help out.

The R.A.R.E. program, which stands for respect, accountability, responsibility and esteem, is a guiding principle at the middle school. Students emotional wellbeing is emphasized and students are given plenty of encouragement to participate in school life.

Student representatives visited classrooms to help promote the initiative.

“Every home room was given a task to collect as many socks as possible,” said sixth grader Molly Rioux, 12. “There was a reward at the end, and the turnout was amazing for this. Some homerooms gave around 50 pairs.”

In total, the school managed to gather 900 pairs of socks for charity.

Rioux, a member of The R.A.R.E Community Project, said she had visited GiftsToGive multiple times in the past and has also helped out at farms and nursing homes.

Former Dartmouth superintendent Stephen Russell was at the middle school representing GiftsToGive. He expressed his thanks for the students’ efforts, and middle schoolers helped him pile his vehicle full of cozy footwear.

“GiftsToGive was started approximately 10 years ago out of New Bedford. It’s idea is to provide young people with opportunities for service, either through direct volunteerism or through donations,” said Russell.

GiftsToGive is currently headquartered in Acushnet in a former golf ball factory. The space has since been renovated, becoming a central location for donated items.

“Social workers, school nurses, medical professionals - they will funnel the materials to the families that need it the most,” he said.

Russell said that, while there have been plenty of donations this holiday season, “there’s still a huge demand for coats, mittens and hats.”

“We’re always in need of donations, but, at the same time, literally thousands of families are being helped. The scale is huge,” said Russell.

GiftsToGive is located at Titleist Drive in Acushnet and can be reached at 508-717-8715.