Inaugural “No Socks to Work Day” To Be Held on 12/12/12
Campaign to gather sock donations for Denver’s homeless being spearheaded by the Sock-it-to-‘em Sock Campaign
Dec. 3, 2012 – DENVER, COLORADO – A citywide effort to gather donations of socks for Denver’s homeless population is kicking off with the inaugural “No Socks to Work Day” on Dec. 12, 2012. “No Socks to Work Day” asks workers to forego their socks for the day, donate a new pair of socks in their place, and sport bare ankles in the workplace in show of support for the campaign. The drive will be in full effect through Dec. 31, 2012.
The Sock-it-to-Em Socks Campaign™ was launched in 2011 by Sue Lee CEO of EQ Media and Creator of “I Believe in Me!” a local entrepreneur who recognized how many Americans face the harsh winter cold and dampness with inadequate protection for their feet. Sue Lee asked her good friend Phillis Shimamoto to join with her in 2012 to form Sock-it-to-Em and begin soliciting fellow small business owners and others to pitch in.
This year, Lee and Shimamoto teamed with Small Business Drives America™, a nationwide program to highlight the contributions of small businesses to the nation’s economy, in launching the “No-Socks-To-Work™” Day drive. Thousands of businesses and other workplaces nationwide are expected to shed their socks and participate.
Denver’s homeless population is now twice what it was just a year ago. The Sock-it-to-‘em Sock Campaign™ aims to cover the feet of as many of those in need as possible before the new year. No Socks to Work Day was the brainchild of Denver resident, Dean Rotbart, co-coordinator of the sock donation drive, and the force behind the Small Business Drives Colorado™ campaign.
“We want to launch the effort in Denver, but intend to encourage other cities around the country to join in,” said Sue Lee, Founder of the Sock-it-to-‘em program. “Denver is a good place to start because of the growing homeless population who will have to endure bone-chilling temperatures during the holidays. By encouraging the community to donate new and used socks to those in need, we hope to help everyone survive the cold.”
“It’s estimated that one out of every four homeless individuals in Denver is a child – that’s just heartbreaking,” said Dean Rotbart. “If we can make sure their feet are warm for the holidays, we will be doing something to help.”
The grassroots campaign has attracted the attention and support of several Denver-metro area sponsors, including:
- Crocs: Donation of a new pair of Crocs for any well-known individual who will pose for photos wearing them sans socks. The individual can then keep the shoes or donate them to the homeless. Crocs will also make a donation of shoes to accompany the socks drive.
- HomeSmart Realty Group: Donation of 501 pair of socks
- Marco’s Pizza Colorado: Two-for-one discount on pizza slices for anyone who brings in a sock donation
- Communications Strategy Group: Coordination of all media relations and promotion of No Socks to Work Day
Currently in Denver Sock donations can be dropped off at any of these locations:
- MIYO’s Café – 858 W. Happy Canyon Road, Castle Rock, CO 80108
- Leading Edge Physical Therapy – 7280 Lagae Rd., Unit F (Castle Pines Parkway & Lagae)
- First Plymouth Congregational Church – 3501 S. Colorado Blvd., Englewood, CO 80113
- St. Andrews United Methodist Church – 9203 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
- 100% Chiropractic, Belmar – 455 S. Teller St., Lakewood, CO 80226
- Heart of Oneness Center – 720 14th St. Golden, CO 80401
- Rainbow Rewards – 999 18th St., Ste 2250, Denver, CO 80202
- Communications Strategy Group – 3225 E. 2nd Ave., Denver, CO 80206
- Any Denver or Colorado Springs Marco’s Pizza location
- The Fragrance Factory – 45 Via Brianza, Suite 100, Henderson, NV 89011
Sock donations can also be mailed to:
Sock-it-to-em Socks Campaign™
Attn: Dean Rotbart
7581 E. Academy Blvd. #D455
Denver, CO 80230
Everyone who plans to participate on December 12th can take the “No-Socks-To-Work™” pledge on Twitter @NoSocksToWork. See www.Twitter.com/nosockstowork. Please tweet the following: “I’m going sockless to work on 12/12/12 to support No-Socks-To-Work™ Day. I’ll donate a pair of new socks to the homeless. #nosockstowork
Participants are also encouraged to connect with No Socks to Work on Facebook and post images of sockless employees: https://www.facebook.com/NoSocksToWorkDay
Additional information can be found at www.NoSocksToWork.org. Businesses interested in becoming a sponsor or participating in “No-Socks-To-Work™” Day, may contact Rotbart at [email protected], or by phone at 303-296-1200.