There are some particularly different ornaments hanging on the Biology Building Christmas tree this year.

The Biology Science and Biology buildings have hung new pairs of socks on their trees this year in honor of the “Socks for Courtney” Foundation. The socks are to bring attention to pediatric heart disease, along with charities and other organizations that provide help to children.

“We wanted to create a way for our department to give back this season, and this was a great way. We’re hoping to collect 300 pairs of socks,” Janee Cardell, administrative specialist and coordinator in the Biology Department, said in a Georgia Southern news release.

“Socks for Courtney” was created in memory of Courtney Adavia Kemp who passed away at the young age of nine years old from undiagnosed heart disease, according to the Socks for Courtney PayPal site.

Courtney had an obsession with socks, the crazier the better. Courtney’s parents had bought her a bag of socks for Christmas that unfortunately she did not get the opportunity to wear. That is when “Socks for Courtney” took a whole new meaning for them and inspired the foundation.

New men’s, women’s and children’s socks are being accepted in all colors and sizes. All donations will contribute to local area hospitals, shelters, churches and burn centers that support various organizations.

Collection bins have been placed in the new Biological Sciences building and additional bins have been put in the Biology building located next to the Math and Physics building.