Socks for Soldiers | ABC30 Fresno | abc30.com

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By ABC30

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Fresno, CA Deborah Johnson-Daniel says, "With this we can all come together and we can be one." That's why we came to a bank in Northwest Fresno, to learn more about her troop support drive. We were met by dozens of supporters all eager to tell us about the drive to collect "Socks For Soldiers." Central Valley Blue Star Mom Charlotte Novak-Brown explained that, "When a soldier has been out in the field for two weeks without a shower, a clean pair of socks is a god send."

Charlotte Novak-Brown supports everyone's' kids serving in the armed forces around the world. When her best friend. Deborah's sorority - Alpha Kappa Alpha was looking for a project the pair agreed to join forces to co-sponsor Socks for Soldiers. Deborah called it a great pairing with a great idea, "It was just perfect to come up with something that almost everyone can afford."

As we were all talking, mother of two, Kim Melkonian came rushing up to drop a package of socks into a bin. She told me she was hooked when she saw a drop box inside this Educational Employees Credit Union on Wednesday, "I came to the bank earlier and I saw they were having the sock drive and so I ran to Target to run errands and bought some and came back."

Her donations were met with cheers. The crowd of supporters and three veteran service members on hand day all agree: socks rock! Sgt. Vashti Torres is in the Army currently assigned to recruiting, today she was talking about her two tours in Iraq and Socks, "They go through socks. I went through sox like crazy, buying socks all the time."

All donated socks do have to be new and the must be in regulation colors: white, black, gray, brown or army green. Another service member who logged multiple tours in Iraq, Jayson Ek serving with the Navy appreciates the sock idea and more, "It's just the fact that there are great people out here donating their items to help support us."

The goal is one-hundred-thousand pairs of socks. To date organizers are one quarter of the way there and looking for additional support from the valley. And Pam Fobbs another Central Valley Blue Star Mom believes it takes care of the body and the spirit of the nation's service men and women, "It also sends a signal we care, that America cares for them. We love them, we support them no mater what."

For these volunteers that goes without saying but they are hoping Valley residents of like mind will join them in reaching that goal of 100-Thousand Pairs of Sock for Soldiers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Sponsored by:

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Iota Omicron Omega Chapter - Fresno, CA.
In collaboration with the Central Valley Blue Star Moms

For drop off or pick-up assistance:

Call Deborah Johnson-Daniel - 559-432-9098

Current Drop Off Locations:

Educational Employee's Credit Union (EECU) Herndon
NorthWest Church - 5415 N West Avenue
LifePoint Medical - 5339 N. Fresno St., Suite 105E
Family Community Church - 2434 E. Nees Avenue
PACEAPP - Manchester Center, Suite 180
Saints Rest Baptist Church - 1550 E. Reverend Chester Riggins Avenue
Mannequin Women's Boutique - 7089 N. Marks, Suite 104
QN4U Barbeque House - 1414 N. Clovis Avenue
Somerford Place Assisted Living - 6075 N. Marks Avenue
Educational Employee's Credit Union (EECU) Herndon and Milburn Branch