Should Doing Good Be Public?
I used to wonder why people felt the need to post about every good thing they did. Were they actually trying to help, or did they just want attention? I can’t pretend I never questioned it. But then I started Project Socks and found myself doing the very thing I’d been skeptical of. I hated being in the spotlight, but if nobody knew what I was doing, how could I expect anyone to trust me enough to donate?
When I first started Project Socks, I worried about what kids at school or people around town would think. Would they laugh at me? Would I look like a fool posting about collecting socks? I believed in what I was doing, but that didn’t make putting myself out there any easier.
I figured out pretty quickly that social media wasn’t optional. It was how I explained Project Socks, got the word out, and asked people to donate. Without it, most people wouldn’t even know the organization existed. I started seeing posting less as drawing attention to myself and more as a way to get people involved.
But I also realized that posting wasn’t just about attracting donors. When someone donates to Project Socks, I think they deserve to know where their contribution went. That’s why I document every delivery. I want people to see which organizations received the socks and understand who they’re helping. If they’re trusting me with their donations, I feel responsible for showing them that I’m doing what I promised.
Even now, sharing personal recognition can feel uncomfortable. When the Patriots Foundation recognized my work with a $10,000 grant, I was incredibly proud, but I also knew that sharing it gave Project Socks credibility beyond anything I could say about it myself. Sometimes publicity serves a purpose much bigger than the person receiving it.
I also think there’s a responsibility that comes with sharing charitable work. I never take pictures with the people receiving socks, and I always ask my community partners before posting or tagging them. I want people to see what Project Socks is accomplishing, but not at the expense of anyone’s privacy or dignity. There’s a difference between showing the work and turning someone’s struggles into content.
Project Socks has pushed me outside my comfort zone in ways I never expected. I was 16 when I started, with no experience fundraising, approaching businesses, or putting myself in the public eye. Almost every step required something I’d never done before. But I’ve learned that being uncomfortable isn’t always a reason not to do something. Sometimes it’s just part of doing something that matters.
I still don’t love being in the spotlight. I’ve just realized that keeping myself out of it shouldn’t mean keeping Project Socks out of it, too.