I'm fairly certain that it began in high school and anyone who knows me well can attest to the fact that they're one of my favorite gifts to receive, and to give.
That is, until last week... when hurricane Sandy paid an unwelcome visit to many of my friends along the eastern seaboard. As the days following the storm unfolded, I worked to contact my friends who live in New York and New Jersey to see if they needed anything. One by one, I was able to reach them. As of tonight (Sunday), there are still two without power but everyone is safe and damage, for most of them, was minimal.
Among those affected is Laura Kuhlmann, a friend, fellow blogger,and fellow member of Hometalk. Laura lives in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Laura's neighborhood was spared the brunt of the storm but just a few minutes down the road, entire areas were wiped out including Mystic Island, Osborne Island, and Tuckerton Beach. Long beach Island which is just across the bay, also suffered extraordinary damage as did virtually every barrier island and shore town up and down New Jersey's renowned coastline
Early one morning last week, after having gone to a local hurricane shelter and seeing people walking around barefoot who just wanted a pair of warm socks, Laura posted a message asking for help to provide socks and mittens to those who need them. Of course, my immediate response was, "I'm in." Needless to say, that was also the response of many of our fellow Hometalk bloggers, several of whom live in New Jersey and were affected by Hurricane Sandy. .
So here we are. Our mission is simple and the turn around time is fast.
We want to provide socks, to warm feet; gloves, to warm hands; and winter hats, to warm heads in the hope that this small gesture will help to let those affected to feel the warmth and caring of all of us and that it will warm their hearts and souls to know that we're here for them.
The address to mail new, unused, socks, hats and mittens is:
Socks for Sandy
PO Box 520
Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Since the need is urgent, we're asking that packages be postmarked not later than this Friday, November 9, 2012.
If you'd rather help in another way, donating directly to the Red Cross is still the fastest way to get your money into the hands of those who need it the most.
Laura will receive all packages and immediately take them to the local hurricane shelter. Any excess will be given to the other hurricane shelters up and down New Jersey's coastline.
What started as an idea has grown into a mission to share the warmth and it's simple to get involved.
In this season of Thanksgiving, join us, won't you? Share the warmth. Spread the love. Socks for Sandy.
xo,