Socks for Tots Drive Encourages New Sock Donations for Local Kids

Our Daily Show! With CJ: Wreath's Across America, Rosie Brown- Socks for Tots, and More!

RIVERBEND - Community members can give back this holiday season by donating to the Socks for Tots drive.

Rosetta “Rosie” Brown, alderwoman for Alton’s Fourth Ward and candidate for State Representative for District 111, oversees the Socks for Tots campaign. People are encouraged to donate pairs of new socks, which will then be distributed amongst local schools, the Alton Boys and Girls Club, Oasis Women’s Center, the Catholic Children’s Home, and other organizations across the Riverbend.

“The need is everywhere,” Brown said. “The most rewarding thing is when I walk into those entities and they’re like, ‘Wow, thank you, because we’ve been waiting on these. These are so needed. These are being used.’ That’s what warms my heart.”

Brown started Socks for Tots in 2015, after she observed a young boy at the bus stop near her house who had on a coat and hat but no socks. She asked him where his socks were, and he replied that he only had one pair and couldn’t find them that morning.

This inspired Brown to collect sock donations to be shared within the community. She noted that food drives are popular right now, and she encourages people to also donate a few pairs of socks.

You can donate through the end of December. Brown and her volunteers will distribute the socks in January. This year is the biggest drive yet, with 60 boxes spread throughout the community.

You can also send donations to Socks for Tots LLC at PO Box 14 in Alton, or call Brown directly at 618-433-9976 with any questions. If you oversee an organization and would like to receive socks, call Brown to inquire.

“With or without funding from the outside, I had made it my pledge to make this foundation work because it was a need in our community,” she added. “I have not missed a year of making sure socks are out there in my community.”

In Alton, you can donate at Bluff City Grill, Webster Temple Church of God in Christ, Today’s Beauty, New Beginnings Hair Salon, Fancy Nails, Next Step Foot and Ankle Center, and Illinois Central School Bus.

In Bethalto, you can donate at the Village of Bethalto building.

In East Alton, you can donate at East Alton Ice Arena, Food Affair, and Cafe Creations Ice Cream and More.

In Edwardsville, you can donate at Dewey’s Pizza, the Edwardsville Public Library, Bank of Madison County, The Cup, and SIUE Department of Political Science.

In Godfrey, you can donate at Germania Brew Haus and OSF Healthcare and Medical Group.

In Granite City, you can donate at Granite City Hall and Steel City Cheesecakes.

In Hartford, you can donate at Hartford Public Library District and the Village of Hartford building.

In Venice, you can donate at the Venice Municipal Building, and the Venice Park District.

In Wood River, you can donate at Cleary’s Shoes and Boots and Mallory’s Sports.

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