Sharing Stories Archive

Muskego Church Sponsors "Undie 500"

During the month of May, Heritage Presbyterian Church, Muskego has been the place for members and friends to bring donations of new underwear and socks.

The “Undie 500” was the inspiration of the Mission Committee this spring as they thought about ways to support the Hope Center in Waukesha. For several years the committee has sponsored a month long mission drive during May. Tying an underwear drive with the Indy 500 seemed a natural choice.

The race to collect 500 items began on Sunday, May 2 during the children’s sermon. The project was explained and a race car was placed on a track to keep count of the items collected. Then to start the race, two children waved checked flags as Pastor Bill Zieche declared “Ladies and Gentlemen, start your shopping.”

Items were collected at the front of the sanctuary for the next 4 Sundays and on the last Sunday; the flag was waved signaling the end of the race. The 641 pairs of socks and underwear collected were well beyond the committee’s expectations.

And not a moment too soon. The last week of the collection, the church received this email from the Hope Center:

Hello Friends,
Hope all is well. We are desperately in need of new socks & new underwear!!!!! We are completely out of all new socks (men’s ankle & crew, women’s ankle & crew & children’s small, med., & large).
Any help with these items is much appreciated.

The 322 pairs of socks and 319 undies collected were distributed to the Hope Center Clothes Closet June 1st.

Supported by more than 100 congregations, the Hope Center is committed to serving people in need in Waukesha County, offering a wide range of services to address the basic needs of financial assistance, food, clothing and child care.

For more information about the “Undie 500” contact Rev. Bill Zieche bill_zieche@yahoo.com

Sharing Stories Archives