Boy's campaign won't stop at 800 pairs of socks Concern for the homeless spurs his campaign

Jeremy Jason, 12, has befriended homeless people whom he and his family have helped. Jeremy Jason, 12, has befriended homeless people whom he and his family have helped. Photo: R. Clayton McKee, Freelance Photo: R. Clayton McKee, Freelance Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Boy's campaign won't stop at 800 pairs of socks 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Jeremy Jason isn't out to change the world just yet, but the 12-year-old Braes Heights resident is intent on having an impact.

Since May, Jeremy has collected more than 800 pairs of socks to be donated to the homeless through his "A Thousand Socks" campaign.

"What I've learned is anyone or anything, now matter how small, can make a difference, even a 12-year-old boy collecting socks," said Jeremy, who is in the seventh grade at Awty International School in Spring Branch.

The sock campaign has its roots in Jeremy's preparations for his Bar Mitzvah, the Jewish rite of passage to manhood. Young men are usually asked to do a social action project to prepare for their Bar Mitzvah. Girls do the same during the months leading up to their Bat Mitzvah.

The idea is to contribute to the overall effort of "tikkun olam," which is Hebrew for fixing the world, so more people can benefit from the joy of this milestone.

Earlier this year, Jeremy started volunteering weekly for Food Not Bombs-Houston. The volunteer organization shares vegan food with the homeless in protest of war, poverty and the destruction of the environment.

Jeremy's parents, Silvia and Mark Jason, have been joining him along with brothers Daniel, 16, and Matthew, 9.

"They do a wonderful job, and they're very respectful of the recipients," Silvia Jason said.

More Information Follow Jeremy's campaign Jeremy Jason's blog:http://athousandsocks.org To contact Jeremy: email thejasonfamily5@gmail.com More on Food Not Bombs: www.facebook.com/houstonfoodnotbombs.

By preparing and serving meals for this effort, Jeremy has gotten to know a number of homeless people and gained a better feel for their needs.

It was that understanding that led him to launch "A Thousand Socks."

"What I found out is homeless people need shoes and socks because they need to do a lot of walking," Jeremy said. "I realized this is the project I needed."

In May, Jeremy set up drop-off stations at Congregation Brith Shalom, 4610 Bellaire Blvd.; Belden's Supermarket, 99 N. Braeswood Blvd.; Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, 5601 S. Braeswood; Houston Mennonite Church, 1231 Wirt; and Three Brothers Bakery, 4036 S. Braeswood.

He has been asking for clean socks without holes for men or women.

Jeremy's original goal was to collect 500 pairs of socks by Feb. 22, the date his Bar Mitzvah is scheduled at Congregation Brith Shalom.

Since Jeremy already has exceeded that amount, he reset his goal to 1,000. And the socks continue to come in steadily.

"This project has resulted in so many meaningful experiences for Jeremy," Silvia said. "He's getting to see a little of the realty of the homeless.

"It's extremely valuable. He's seeing that you can help people feel appreciated by doing little things."

Jeremy said he was aware of homeless people before he began volunteering for Food Not Bombs.

"I've always seen them from a distance," he said. "I've always felt bad for them. Now I've learned a little more."

He's made friends with some of the regulars who come for meals.

"There's Lizard, who brought his pet cat with him," Jeremy said. "Timothy is a fast runner, and Craig is a very kind man with red hair and a beard."

Jeremy has not decided how he will distribute the socks he's collected, but he's hoping to give them away in small batches instead of one large distribution. In addition to his volunteer work, Jeremy enjoys building with Legos, playing drums and learning about history.

The Jason family has decided it will continue volunteering for Food Not Bombs-Houston well beyond Jeremy's Bar Mitzvah.