Warm socks fundraiser provides timely comfort marginalized populations in Nanaimo

In the first round of donations, Project Happy Feet 911 received 100 pairs of socks, while another 50 went to the Balmoral Sobering House.

McLeod said they have expanded buying power thanks to Commercial St. business Flying Fish, who agreed to purchase fast-drying, high-quality Blue Sky merino wool socks on behalf of the Toasty Toes initiative at a wholesale rate.

She said shelter operators at both First Unitarian Church and Saint Peter’s Church provided tours to see how they help vulnerable people and how their socks will make a difference.

Seventy pairs of socks plus multiple tubs of chapstick were dropped off at First Unitarian Church and Saint Peter’s early Monday afternoon.

Another 50 pairs of socks also went to the Risebridge warming centre.

Kevan Griffith, operator of the winter shelter in the basement of Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Church was all smiles after receiving socks to hand away on the evening of Friday, Dec. 9 (GoFundMe)

McLeod said Kevan Griffith, who operates the seasonal shelter at Saint Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, provided important guidance on the types and composition of socks to buy.

“We communicated to him ahead of time to actually find out how many socks should be men’s or women’s, and also to confirm if the merino wool was the right type, he was really helpful to us,” McLeod said.

Griffith said quality socks are an essential item for people experiencing homeless, pointing out the extended hours marginalized folks spend on their feet every day.

He said they were handed a shipment of 70 socks last Friday night, which turned out to be a hit with their clients.

“One of the good young ladies that i gave a pair of socks to, they were so soft because they’re Merrino wool, she held them to her face and said ‘I wish I could dress all in this,'” Griffith told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Griffith said they still have a few pairs of female socks to give away.

He said gracious recipients of the new socks put them on “right away”, Griffith said.

“Dry socks are better than no socks, but this is like a Christmas dream come early for me.”

McLeod said their plan is to make a second order in the weeks ahead and distribute a final shipment of socks in the new year.

However, the generosity by those behind Toasty Toes don’t plan on going away, McLeod pledged.

She said other GoFundMe efforts to back other social causes are on the drawing board.

“We just want to focus on doing some really short-term, fast turnaround activities that do some social good — so we may just move on to a different type of project.”

At the time of publishing, they had raised $1,740 of their $2,000 goal.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW

by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Warm socks fundraiser provides timely comfort marginalized populations in Nanaimo

More Local News