Socks for Seniors OK began in 2013 when founder, Sue McMillan and a friend, delivered gift bags containing socks to 127 Seniors at three area nursing homes. When Sue was told by the Nursing Home that this would be the only gift received and saw the appreciation from the Seniors she reached out the following year to recruit volunteers and donations. She contacted businesses to display large Christmas stockings for donations of socks, wish list items, and financial support.
Each year ... Read More
Socks for Seniors OK began in 2013 when founder, Sue McMillan and a friend, delivered gift bags containing socks to 127 Seniors at three area nursing homes. When Sue was told by the Nursing Home that this would be the only gift received and saw the appreciation from the Seniors she reached out the following year to recruit volunteers and donations. She contacted businesses to display large Christmas stockings for donations of socks, wish list items, and financial support.
Each year the numbers of Seniors and items have grown to over 20 Nursing Homes and 2 Assisted Living facilities. Gifts now include socks, gloves, caps, scarves, toiletry items, activity books, and sometimes handmade items from the volunteers. When possible, we include requested items such as flashlights, magnifying glasses or playing cards.
In 2018 Socks for Seniors OK became a 501(c)(3) charitable organization allowing solicitation of tax-deductible donations. We are proud to be a 100% volunteer organization with over 10,000 hours donated. Our volunteers meet throughout the year to prepare items for the gift bags. Preparation includes pairing socks, tying blankets, sorting jewelry, knitting or crocheting, removing tags, and delivering baskets and socks to businesses for donations.
The number of Seniors and Veterans that Socks for Seniors OK serves has stabilized to over 2,000 annually which includes the Norman Veterans Center and their Memory Care Unit. We continued to provide gifts even during the Covid shutdowns and quarantines. We continue to provide gifts to the underserved Nursing Homes in the Oklahoma City Metro area, Kingfisher, Hennessey, and Gutherie. We strive to improve each year and follow up with the Nursing Homes served. Again, they tell us that for some residents, our gift is the only one received.
We are especially grateful to the Masonic Lodge #36 for providing their facilities for the two-week period of packaging our gifts.
Socks for Seniors OK is able to continue our cause with grants and partnerships with local businesses along with generous donations from friends and family.
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