It was the best yet response to an annual campaign that collects winter socks for homeless people in Langley.
Describing the tally of “Toaster Toes 2023” as “spectacular,” coordinator Beverly Genge announced 703 pairs of warm winter socks were acquired for the Gateway of Hope shelter in Langley, just in time for the arrival of miserable winter weather in the new year.
Volunteers began collecting socks in November, and delivered them just before Christmas.
Now in its sixth year, the grassroots initiative was started by the St. George’s Anglican Church outreach committee, with residents of the Chartwell Green 55-plus townhouse complex in Walnut Grove collecting 285 pairs of socks in their first year.
“When we [the committee] were looking for a project, we needed something that, of course, was frugal for everybody,” Genge recalled.
“I went to Gateway of Hope and asked them what was nominal, that we could afford to contribute, and they said socks. They always need socks. They’re in great need of winter socks from October to April. So we got together and said, yeah, that’s right up our alley, we can afford that.”
Gateway has advised that they go through 10 pairs of socks a day for homeless people during the winter, Genge told the Langley Advance Times.
“There’s no facilities for [most homeless people] to wash or dry clothes. So they just wear them until they’re worn out, I guess, and then just go back and get a new pair.”
Last year, more than 600 socks were donated.
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This year’s campaign also collected 81 toques, eight scarves, 27 pairs of gloves, two sweatshirts, and three long winter coats.
Genge said 63 of the toques were hand-made by members of the Chartwell Green knitting group, Deborah Milne and Louise Meekes.
“What a bonus to have warm feet and a warm head for the winter – things we take for granted,” Genge commented.
Genge is hoping the amount of contributions will continue to increase.
“This year, we’ve had a few more people that have wanted to jump on board. Some people have good aspirations for the project and it’s just a matter of getting together and trying to figure out how to approach this so that we can help more people,” Genge said.
“It still has to stay affordable, yet productive.”
One of the younger volunteers, eight-year-old Arabella Genge, Beverly’s great-granddaughter, is hoping to get fellow students at her school involved next year.
“It’s very helpful for the community [and] it brings me a big smile,” Arabella remarked.
Genge thanked Alder Auto for making a cash contribution that helped purchase more socks.
“It was very nice of them.”
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