Integrated Life Choices in Wayne, a disability service provider, is asking the community to blow their socks by supporting its month long sock drive this October.
The Integrated Life Choices’ first Sock-tober fundraising event is being led by the vocational manager, Hannah Renken. She and her team look forward to people dropping off and donating socks to help those in need.
The social service organization, started in 2006, helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing exceptional services to the people in need across Nebraska and Colorado.
The organization works with individuals who have disabilities ranging from Down syndrome to autism to help them gain community skills through residential and employment programs.
Renken said she was scrolling through Pinterest this month and found the idea for Sock-tober. This is her first year hosting this event since she moved here from South Dakota recently.
The fundraiser’s goal is to collect at least 40 pairs of socks. Renken mentioned how previously, the organization has had few advocates. She is determined to have a good turnout so the organization can host the event again next year.
Socks can be donated any time this month through Oct. 31. Integrated Life Choices accepts new socks in all sizes ranging from kids to adults though donations have to be in original packaging.
The socks can be dropped off at Wayne Community Activity Center at 901 West 7th Street, Elkhorn Valley Bank at 411 East 7th Street or Quality Foods at 517 Dearborn Street.
ILC manager Hannah hopes to give out the donated socks to the families who come in as well as the local food pantry.
“If I had enough socks for everyone, I’d distribute them throughout the whole area,” Renken said.
If the fundraiser has a good turnout, ILC will also hand out the rest of the socks to smaller towns in northeast Nebraska like Wakefield and Laurel. The donations and support will make a big difference in helping families stay warm.
Life Integrated Choices accepts these donations dropped off at the desired three locations throughout the whole month of Sock-tober.