The Lloydminster Lions Club and their partners are making sure the city’s vulnerable population aren’t out with cold feet this winter.
The club wrapped up their second annual sock drive collecting 880 pairs of socks for the Lloyminder Interval Home, Men’s Shelter and Drop-in Centre. The drive ran from October 19 to December 20 with drop-off bins located at both Northern Factory Workwear buildings and the Legacy Centre.
Lions Sock Drive Co-chair Rick McMann was happy to receive 325 pairs last year and says getting more than twice the amount is astounding. He believes many Lloydminster residents are more giving this year due to the circumstances.
“With all that we’re going through with this whole COVID-19 situation, I think they’re giving a lot more. I think they sense that there’s a lot of people in need in Lloydminster.”
He adds the Thorpe Recovery Centre held their own mini-drive which brought in 118 pairs and Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart the Heart collected 35 pairs of socks. He thanks all members of the community who helped make the drive a success.
“It was a very special thing to take part of especially this year,” Northern Factory Workwear manager Tara-Lynn Beznoska says. “Any way you can give back to the community and take part in it, not only us but to have a place for other people to come and support as well, I think it’s important and special to be a part of it.”
Drop-in Centre manager Riley Gilroyed says every donation makes a difference.
“I believe with the men, women and children that access the Drop-in Centre as well as the Men’s Shelter it means the world to them. We’re made aware of the gratefulness of the people that access our services. They’re so humbled and grateful for what we have to offer. We’re very grateful for what the community stands for.”
As far as plans for next year, McMann is optimistic.
“There’s no way, but up. We want to go higher.”