The stripes were plentiful Tuesday at Sidney Central School.

With the day deemed “Wear Your Stripes to Show You Care Day” at the school, students, faculty and staff donned red-and-white striped socks in support of the Ronald McDonald House.

For the past several weeks, the school has been selling socks as a fundraiser to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. In the end, 300 pairs of socks were sold and $1,540 was raised.

Sidney sixth grader Francisco LaBoy and his mother, Katiria Diaz, spent time at the Ronald McDonald House when he was younger. As a three-year-old, Francisco had a tumor and needed numerous trips to Rochester, where Francisco and his mother utilized the Ronald McDonald House.

Francisco’s parents, Diaz and Jose LaBoy, as well as his sister, Sidney third-grader Abdieliz LaBoy, were on hand as a check was presented to Lori Stevenson, the director of marketing and public relations for the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester.

“This was very emotional,” Diaz said. “To know we live in a small town that shows such big heart is great.”

Tauna LaBare, a special education teacher, started in the school by selling them to faculty and staff, but the campaign soon grew with students and the community getting involved. LaBare said Junior/Senior High School Principal Eben Bullock and guidance counselor Jody Gravelin approached her about extending the sales of the socks beyond the staff.

“This was a whole school effort,” LaBare said. “We couldn’t have done it without the support of the staff.

“I got a little overwhelmed when I came in this morning,” she continued. “Seeing all of the kids walking to school with the socks and the staff wearing them was great. It shows how great of a community Sidney is.”

It took off from there as the school’s Interact Club got involved and socks were sold during lunch periods.


On Tuesday, countless staff and students wore their striped socks in support of the cause.

“It’s a surprise for us,” Jose LaBoy said. “Even though it’s a small town, they do big things. It’s a united community. Something this simple became so big.”

Francisco was all smiles throughout the day and stood proudly in front of two assemblies during the afternoon.

“It was awesome,” he said.

The Sidney Police Department also came in support of the cause, with all officers wearing the socks and shaking hands with Francisco.

This will be a yearly event at the school LaBare said. Selling socks was in its first year, Stevenson said. This campaign started in August, so it was a fast turnaround.

“I couldn't believe how many socks they kept selling,” she said. “I am so glad and honored to see this. Francisco is near and dear to my heart as I have gotten to know him well. There are so many bad things you hear. It’s nice to hear something positive like this and to see a community rally around a cause.”

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