I read an interesting article this morning about a woman, Theresa Tese, a retired financial comptroller, who wanted to do something to help the homeless. She prayed about it and came up with a small idea -- warm socks. Of course, the next thing she did was start a community organizing group to demand the government provide socks. They stormed City Hall barefooted pelting legislators with dirty socks and holding a sock-in.Well, no, that isn't exactly what happened.
Theresa didn't apply for a government grant or organize a lobby group to provide warm socks. She started a charity called Comfort Socks and organized sock drives. She contacted sock manufactureres to get wholesale prices and arranged to get special needs socks for diabetics. She set up "sock drops" and invited the community to help. Girl Scout troops and church groups got involved. A college student invited his dorm mates to participate. Some teen groups organized carwashes, the price a dozen socks. One Vacation Bible School collected socks and sent them along with handwritten notes.
Check out Comfort Socks. They may not be ending homelessness, but they are showing compassion for those in need in a very practical way. The biggest project begins with the first step.
Theresa Tese has a heart of gold!
ReplyDeleteOur nonprofit is committed to serving the homeless men, women and children in Southern California by distributing CarePacks filled with essential personal care items, food and water.
Recently, we were blessed to receive some socks from Theresa's organization, Comfort Socks, to place in the CarePacks. This singular idea, is bringing comfort and smiles to many, many people in need!
Theresa is passionate about her mission, and I admire her tremendously!