Isolde Deal with her collection of socks, ready to be donated to those in need.
In a heartwarming display of compassion and community spirit, Isolde Deal, an 11th-grade student at Ravenna High School, and dual enrollment participant with Baker College, has been creating a positive impact in Muskegon County—one pair of socks at a time.
Isolde’s inspiring journey began with a profound encounter during the 4-H National Congress Convention. Struck by the realization of the challenges faced by the homeless, she returned to Michigan with a deep sense of gratitude and a strong desire to make a difference. Driven by her passion to effect change, Isolde initiated a sock drive, aiming to provide comfort and warmth to those in need. Despite initial challenges with minimal donations, her determination and commitment shone through. Isolde’s resilience became even more evident when she reached out to news agencies, leading to interviews with Wood TV 8, Fox 17, and M-Live.
The response from the community was nothing short of incredible. Over the following weeks and months, Isolde witnessed an outpouring of support and generosity. Today, her efforts have resulted in an astounding total of 1,100 pairs of socks—each one representing a collective act of kindness from the community.
In a heartfelt message, Isolde expresses her gratitude, saying, “Thank you! I appreciate everyone so much for helping me with this cause. This really does mean so much to me. Thank you for all the support, love, encouragement, and donations!”
Isolde’s outstanding commitment to community service is a remarkable achievement. As a dual enrollment student, Isolde exemplifies the positive impact that young individuals can have when given the opportunity to engage with their communities and make a meaningful difference. Isolde is a student who embodies the values of compassion, leadership, and community service.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more at baker.edu and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram. The RunningStart program allows high school students to accelerate their academic and career ambitions– providing different ways to earn college credit in high school for free or at a low cost. With dual enrollment, students take high school classes and college classes from Baker.