WEST FARGO, N.D. – The seventh annual sock drive for the Golden Drive Homeless Kids non-profit organization has brought in a record number of pairs of socks.
This year’s drive brought in 46,215 pairs of socks. This year’s goal was 40,000 pairs of socks after last year’s drive brought in more than 37,000 pairs.
The first year brought in 4,000 seven years ago.
The drive has grown from its humble beginnings to a contest between law enforcement in the area. The first year Cass County Sheriff’s Department brought in more than 600 pairs of socks.
Last year, the West Fargo Police Department brought in the most socks. This year, the department brought the most in again for a second year – 14,405 pairs.
“The community is so supportive,” West Fargo Police Chief Pete Nielsen said. West Fargo Public Works raised more than 5,000 for the department.
The drive began as an idea brought to Golden Drive’s founder Sue Baron by WDAY Radio’s Jay Thomas to benefit local kids. The socks are all dispersed to schools and shelters, where homeless kids will benefit from them.
“They can just put the socks right on their own feet,” Baron told Flag Family news in a previous interview. “They can pick their own socks out.”
