SOCKTOBER: Warming the FEET and HEARTS of those in need in our county.

With the arrival of cooler temperatures comes the essential need for warm socks. Socks happen to be the #1 most requested item at homeless shelters and other organizations providing essentials for those in need. The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation is collecting NEW socks of all colors and sizes for children and adults to distribute to multiple organizations throughout Chautauqua County.

SOCKTOBER can best be described as a “sole warming” collection that gives everyone an easy and fun way to help those in need in our community. The first annual SOCKTOBER Sock Drive in 2020 saw the collection of over 4,000 socks. NCCF distributed the socks to the Agri-Business Child Development Program, the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County, Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels, Chautauqua County Homeless Coalition, the Outpour Project, St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Outreach Center, Catholic Charities, and the Dunkirk Mental Health Substance Abuse Clinic.

Donations of new socks can be dropped off through October 31st at the following locations: BROCTON:  Ahira Hall Memorial Library, 37 W. Main St; DUNKIRK: Lake Shore Savings Bank, 128 E. 4th St., NCCF, 212 Lake Shore Drive W; FORESTVILLE: Merritt Estate Winery, 2264 King Road; FREDONIA: Barbara Ann’s Hair Salon, 192 E Main, St. Lake Shore Savings Bank, 30 E Main St., and The Hair Bar, 15 Water St.; JAMESTOWN: James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St.;  MAYVILLE:  Mayville Library, 92 S. South Erie St.,  Webb’s Captains Table, 115 W. Lake Road;  RIPLEY: Ripley Public Library, 64 W. Main St.; SILVER CREEK: Anderson-Lee Library, 43 Main St.;  WESTFIELD:   Grape Discovery Center, 8305 US-20, Lake Shore Savings Bank, 106 E Main St., and the YWCA, 58 S. Portage St.

Any group, club or organization interested in hosting a sock drive for SOCKTOBER can contact Eileen at 366-4892 or eardillo@nccfoundation.org.