We got socks - more than 4000 pairs!
For the past four years, Vancity’s Kate Dugas has run a campaign to benefit Triage Emergency Services in the Downtown Eastside. Usually she asks for clothing but this year Kate focused on socks. The reason? She’d found out from longtime homeless advocate Judy Graves that many homeless people get sick and some have even died from having cold, wet feet for five months of the year. Kate also knows this has been a financially difficult year for many folks and so decided to ask for something small in the hopes of encouraging contributions. Vancity members and employees didn’t disappoint: after hours of counting, Kate determined that Vancity has collected 4000 pairs of socks for people living on the streets. “I am humbled and filled with appreciation for the human generosity that lives within all of us,” she says.
Kate used ChangeEverything.ca to engage the community in the Got Socks? campaign. Vancity members made contributions through our branches and employees held friendly competitions between departments to see who could collect the most socks. Both of Vancity's Smart cars were willed with bags of socks and Kate drove her bio-diesel truck filled with even more socks.
We sincerely thank all of our members and employees who contributed to the Got Socks? campaign. Some needy people will surely appreciate your generosity this winter
If you would like to contribute a pair of socks - please deliver them to Vancity Head Office Main and Terminal to the attention of Kate Dugas
Comments
Got Socks? Yes - we Got
Got Socks?
Yes - we Got 'em!!
What a fantastic campaign. All 4,000 pairs arrived at our Triage Emergency Shelter yesterday afternoon and started walking out the door on people's feet almost immediately.
Can't tell you how important it is to have dry feet at this time of year and in this weather. Many of the people who live either on the street or in shelters have compromised immune systems and are dealing with complex physical problems, including Diabetes. Making sure feet are taken care of is an absolute priority!
I hardly know where to begin to say thank you - to Kate Dugas for her ingenious idea; to all of her intrepid co-workers and the wonderful members of VanCity.
Every single pair of socks has made (and will make) a true impact on someone's life this Christmas - our heartfelt thanks to each of you.
Fran Romer
Manager of Resource Development
RainCity Housing and Support Society.
- Login to post comments
Dear Kate Bless You for
Dear Kate
Bless You for being sensitive to the need of socks by homeless people.
Our non-profit, Comfort Socks, located in North Carlina, is certainly in tune to the same thing. We hope you will feel moved in the future to step forward on our behalf.
Comfort Socks is a 501(c)3 public charity that provides new socks to homeless shelters all across the United States.
Aside from the obvious hygiene benefits of new socks for homeless people and families, our mission is one of Comfort. We believe that new socks simply feel good, and will help tend to the soul as well as the body of someone going through a difficult time.
Comfort Socks welcomes volunteers. To learn how you can help, please visit our website @
www.comfortsocksonline.org
Thank you for acting on the compassion in your heart and stepping forward to help others.
Sincerely
Theresa Tese
Founder
Comfort Socks
910-269-8577
- Login to post comments
Wow - a picture really is
Wow - a picture really is worth a thousand words. Or, as in this case, 4000 socks! Congratulations on a really succesful initiative, Kate. You are right, it has been a challenging time financially for many. And yet I never cease to be impressed with how so many of us here at the Vancity Group really do live those "Vancity Values". I am continually inspired by the people around me.
During the month of December, the HR Division (as a group, in smaller teams, and individually) supported many different areas: we collected socks, gathered toys for the Pan Pacific Christmas Wish Breakfast, donated to the United Way and Greater Vancouver Food Bank, adopted families through the YWCA, and purchased stoves for women in the Sudan through Plan Canada's Gifts of Hope. And that's probably just one story among many similar ones here at Vancity.
As we reflect on a challenging year let's take some time to think of all the good that we have done and the value that we have added to our communties. Here's to 2010 and new opportunities for organizational and personal growth!
P.S. Don't forget to send an e-card and support the Vancity Community Foundation's initiatives!