Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Midway Homemakers Club is running a Socks for Seniors drive in a few local businesses: King Drugs on 255 West GL Smith Street, and Dollar General Market on 816 South Main Street. The drive is an effort by the club to collect donations of new socks for individuals in the local nursing home. All donations will be used locally.

LeeAnn Hudnall of Midway organized the project with the national organization Socks for Seniors. The club participates in similar activities throughout the year. “The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) is a volunteer organization that works to improve the quality of life for families and communities through leadership development, volunteer service, and education.” Part of the homemaker’s mission statement, according to the KEHA website.
All new socks will be accepted, but socks with nonslip soles are preferred.

An excerpt from the national Socks for Seniors website socksforseniors.com, states: “Each year Socks for Seniors hosts its annual Sock Drive along with Community Leaders and Volunteers. Families throughout the United States became involved with the Socks for Seniors project in 2002. Since that time the Socks for Seniors sock drive has grown tremendously and has become a nationwide network. Community organizations across America are embracing it by volunteering, sponsoring sock hops and becoming involved in distributions. The Socks for Seniors program benefits those living alone and in nursing homes.”
Jamie Howard from Morgantown Care and Rehabillitation Center had this to say: “One of the things is some of our long term care residents are on fixed income, and don’t have as much funds… to spend on toiletries or simple things such as socks. We are fortunate to have so many volunteers [and donations] and we can issue the [toiletries and socks] here in the facility, but as far as extras… to have something extra is always nice.”
Howard also suggested donations of blankets, toiletries, and things for the bingo program were also appreciated. As Emma Mae, a recipient from a past national drive stated:"We're just old, not dead…”

Story and photos by J. Harris, Beech Tree News