Socks on 3 groups' wish lists
Remember the anticipation of hanging socks by the chimney with care in hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there? A limp Christmas stocking fosters hope and eager anticipation that a few surprises might magically find their way inside.
The time-honored custom is a source of happy smiles.
However, apart from the festive red stockings with white fluffy trim, the vast numbers of traditional socks - those that fill sock drawers - offer good feelings all year long.
Made of cotton, wool or synthetic blends, socks keep feet warm, comfortable and dry. They help absorb moisture and cushion the foot. In cold environments, socks help decrease the risk of frostbite.
Socks are so sensible and so practical that they often are taken for granted. Organizations that distribute items to those who otherwise go without need socks all the time.
The Lisle Character Counts Alliance is kicking off a new tradition this holiday season that will continue all year. It is a perfect pairing to the group's gently used shoe drive "Save Your Soles."
"Sock Smiles" will collect new pairs of socks for distribution to three organizations. Donors may choose the charity they wish to benefit. Each group shares a need for practical, comfortable, cozy new socks.
Guatemala mission
The first group is a mission in Central America in the semi-tropical highland of Chahal, Guatemala, where the School Sisters of St. Francis provide housing, education and health care to villagers.
Sister Karen Marie Ramey, who hails from the Chicago area, is an LPN nurse with years of experience dispensing health care in the mission's 24-hour clinic. She also teaches aspiring nurses and health-care support providers.
This year, she began a small residential girls high school. A family will give 200-pound bags of corn, 25 pounds of black beans, one chicken and a small stipend to have a daughter at the school, Ramey said.
In addition to socks, the mission school can use manual portable typewriters and sewing machines, marker boards, medical visual aids and basic library supplies.
Since 1992, the mission has had electricity but experiences frequent blackouts. The four sisters at the mission plant two cornfields to supplement their food.
"We are making definite progress, but it is still a struggle," Ramey said. "We will offer what the villagers need to move forward, stay solid and be able to make good decisions."
The mission needs practical men's dark socks, adult women's socks and anklets for school-aged youngsters, toddlers and babies. Its Web site is SSSF.org.
DuPage PADS
The DuPage Public Action to Deliver Shelter helps the homeless at locations provided by congregations that open their doors to provide a safe place and food each night.
"After a day of walking, the feet are so battered, moist, and a new pair of sock would be heaven for some of our participants," said Kathleen Johnson, director of development. "For someone who uses their feet all day to get from here to there, socks will certainly help those who really have nothing."
PADS began roughly 20 years ago setting up the first overnight homeless facility in DuPage County. Today, the non-profit agency has three locations every night from among 28 possible shelters. A Lisle location is at Trinity Lutheran Church.
"We are going into our peak time of participants that will go up to 140 men, women and children who navigate the streets here in DuPage County," Johnson said. "Last year, we began seeing an increase in the numbers of children."
Details of fundraisers to benefit PADS are on its Web site, dupagepads.org.
PADS needs socks for men, women and children in white and colors in all sizes.
Operation Support Our Troops
Organizer Debi Rickert began Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois in 2003 at her dining room table, sending out bits-of-home to troops deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
This year the non-profit organization with warehouse operations in Lisle shipped out its 17,000th care package. Its mission remains the same, to support the needs of members of U.S. armed forces serving in harm's way.
The group also helps wounded service members and has donated more than $125,000 to improve the facilities of Hines VA Hospital according to its Web site, osotil.org.
In addition to socks, the group's current needs include cold drink mix packets for bottled water, bags of beef jerky, canned meats in foil packets and tall canisters of Pringles. Easy to ship breakfast, granola and power bars are needed as well as small grooming aids.
Socks for the troops need to be adult-size, cotton and white with no logos to conform to military regulations.
Where to donate
Donate a single pair or a package of new socks or gently used shoes at the Lisle Village Hall, 935 Burlington Ave., or the Lisle Township office, 4721 Indiana Ave., in designated Character Counts collection boxes.
Donations of food and grooming aids for Operation Support Our Troops should be dropped off in Lisle at the Book Nook, 4738 Main St., and the Lisle Township office. For donations to the Guatemala Mission other than socks, e-mail this columnist at jgbroz@yahoo.com.
The Lisle Character Counts Alliance is a partnership of schools, governmental agencies and community volunteers working to advocate and promote the six pillars of good character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, citizenship and caring.
Care enough to give a smile to a person by donating to "Sock Smiles." It is so appreciated.
• Joan Broz writes about Lisle. E-mail her at jgbroz@yahoo.com.