Presiding Officer Gregory’s #StockTheSocks Drive Collects More than 400 Pairs of Socks
Wyandanch, NY - December 18, 2018 - During the holiday season many clothing and toy donation drives take place, but socks are a major need that often goes overlooked. With this in mind, Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory partnered with Majority Leader Kara Hahn and the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare to hold #StockTheSocks, a collection drive seeking donations of new socks for middle and high school-aged youth. The drive supported Hope for Youth, a non-profit organization in Amityville that has provided services for children, youth and families on Long Island for nearly 50 years.
#StockTheSocks was the brainchild of two college interns at Presiding Officer Gregory’s district office. Catherine Dunne of Rockville Centre and Rachael Torella of Poughkeepsie are undergraduate students studying social work at Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare.
“It is heartwarming to see so many of our neighbors lending a hand and donating to those in need during the season of giving,” said Presiding Officer Gregory. “Many people don’t realize that socks are the most needed and least donated item in homeless shelters and group homes. I am extremely proud of the work of our interns, Catherine and Rachel, whose ingenuity and efforts made this drive possible. I would also like to thank Majority Leader Kara Hahn and the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare for their support in helping us stock the socks!”
Over 400 pairs of socks were collected at numerous drop-off locations throughout Suffolk County. Donated socks were sorted and brought to Hope for Youth, where they will be distributed to young people who enter the organization’s homeless shelter.
“Hope for Youth is very thankful for the support of Legislator DuWayne Gregory and his colleagues who inspired and organized community donations,” said Dr. David Hegarty, Executive Director of Hope for Youth.