by Sylene Argent
Four years ago, Gesto resident Kylie Costie, with the help of her family, began collecting socks through her “Super Socktober” campaign to help warm area individuals in need through various distribution agencies.
With the guidance of her parents, and through partnerships with various businesses throughout the region that allowed for the placement of a collection box, Costie collected around 13,300 pairs of socks in the first three years of the program. She is hoping this year’s collection will put her over the 16000 pairs mark.
Every year, from around mid-October to mid-November, Costie solicits sock donations through placing collection boxes at participating businesses. Upon collection, the socks are then delivered to the Salvation Army, Street Help, Essex Area Food Bank, Hiatus House, the Welcome Centre, Windsor Residence, the Downtown mission, and a public school in Windsor.
After every collection, Costie’s parents brings her to each participating business, where the now 10-year-old personally thanks them for their participation.
For her efforts over the past four years, Costie was recognized the Princess Ball Royal Payback Award in 2017 and the Windsor Essex Compassion Care Award earlier this year. She was also a finalist for the “From Poverty to Prosperity Award” in 2018.
Costie said her mother got the idea for the collection when a peer at school began collecting hats for individuals in need. At that point, she and her mother learned the Salvation Army was in need of socks, and the genesis of the campaign began.
“It feels good,” Costie said of collecting the socks. “Everyone wants warm feet in the winter. When you actually think about it, some people don’t have much.”
Costie said warm, clean socks are important in avoiding frost bite.
She is grateful to the long list of businesses that participate in the program by putting a collection box in their establishments.
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