There are always heartwarming stories that emerge during this season of giving – this one involves an avalanche of generosity, and a whole lot of socks.
Three years ago, while pondering why socks often mysteriously came out of the dryer as orphans – no partner to be found – Kay Devine thought to give the mismatched socks to those in need.
“I’d heard of an Odd Socks Society in California and thought we need that here – it’s colder,” said Devine, who with co-workers at the Athabasca University Faculty of Business office in the Grandin Tower, gathered 172 pairs of odd socks in 2011. The next year the group collected 183 pairs, donating the lot to the Bissell Centre in Edmonton, which works to eliminate poverty and homelessness in the community.
This year, Devine asked co-worker Shannon LaRose if the group could use LaRose’s mom’s home in nearby Grandin for sorting the socks. LaRose’s mom, Lois Mill, not only offered her home, but mentioned the collection drive to Val Niblock, director of the St. Albert 50+ Club where Mill is a member. In no time, the word went out through the club via email and newsletter, and a bin was set up on site to gather any socks or warm clothing that came in.
“I made a sign that said we don’t want any money or food – just socks, toques, mitts – and the response was unbelievable,” said Mill, who hosted 10 sock-sorters for a Sunday afternoon of festive food, drink and socializing, plus a little (make that a lot) of sorting – bin upon bin of warm clothing, enough to fill a pickup truck bound for Bissell Centre yet again.
The 2013 tally is impressive: 650 pairs of socks, 105 sweaters, 57 scarves, 46 pairs of gloves/mitts, 59 hats, eight blankets, 11 coats, five pairs of boots and even bedding, underwear, pajamas, pants and shirts for men, women and children. Most donations came from the seniors’ club, with additional goods from the St. Albert Newcomer’s Club Alumni group.
Val Niblock, executive director of the St. Albert 50+ Club, said she’s not surprised that one small donation box grew to take over the centre’s boardroom as donations poured in over the past few weeks.
“Our members are extra generous – we’re collecting for the food bank and helping make about 50 care packages for seniors in need this Christmas, with handmade scarves and mitts and home baked shortbread,” Niblock said. “There’s a spirit of giving here. We don’t want anyone to be cold or feel alone at Christmas.”
The club is even actively looking for seniors who receive Alberta benefits to get free rides for shopping or appointments in St. Albert or Edmonton.
As for the odd socks initiative, Devine said she’d love for people to have a bin out all year-round in their home to collect those single lonely socks that emerge from the dryer. “And because of the generosity in St. Albert we’re expanding to include everything that gives warmth. We moved the event to St. Albert and look what happened?”
