Operation: Socks for Soldiers kicks off

PUL-E ALAM, AFGHANISTAN – MARCH 29: Soldiers with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division patrol on the edge of a village outside of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Shank on March 29, 2014 near Pul-e Alam, Afghanistan. The primary mission of soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division […]

by: Staff

Posted: May 19, 2017 / 08:46 PM EDT

Updated: May 19, 2017 / 08:46 PM EDT

Military Families Ministry (MFM) launched OPERATION: SOCKS FOR SOLDIERS. The non-profit group will be collecting black crew socks and black ankle socks through the end of August to send to troops serving in the Middle East and monetary donations to help cover shipping costs.

This will be the fourth year for the summer project which began in 2014 after MFM received requests from service members deployed in the Middle East asking for socks. They endure extreme heat in the summer months when daily temperatures can exceed 100 degrees by 9:00 AM and it is very difficult to keep their feet clean and dry. They do not have the ability to go purchase more socks when needed. MFM has shipped over 10,000 pair of socks since last May and they hope to exceed that number this year.

The project continues to grow each year, we have added new project partners and drop locations.

The ARC Federal Credit Union is participating in the project this year by hosting a donation drive at both of their branches during the month of June. They are asking Credit Union members and non-members alike to help by donating socks. The staff will roll and decorate the socks (MFM style) to prepare for shipping the first week in July. CEO Vic Gioiosa, speaking from experience, shared when his son received a Christmas package from Military Families Ministry while deployed; “When a service member is deployed anything they received from those at home is greatly appreciated. The biggest moral lift for the service member is knowing that people back home care and remember them and know the sacrifices they are making for us. We are proud and humbled to participate in this program of giving and providing a basic need like clean dry socks to our service men and women is an honor”.

The Hillside Community Church is collecting socks during their Vacation Bible School programs at the Bellwood and Tyrone churches in June.

Socks can also be dropped at the following locations:

* Bellwood Antis Public Library in Bellwood

* First Commonwealth Bank in Bellwood

* United Veterans Home Assoc in Bellwood

* Mac’s Meat Market in Tyrone.