Socktober Collection Gathers 1K Warm Socks For SWR Hospitals, Homeless

HEMET, CA — Almost 1,000 pairs of warm socks were collected at the annual winter clothing collection event across Temecula, Murrieta and area hospitals, all coordinated by 102.5 The Vine FM of Hemet.

"Socktober 2024 concluded with a heartwarming show of generosity and community spirit," The Vine's spokesperson and General Manager Chris Thompson said. Throughout October, listeners, local businesses, and nonprofits united with 102.5 The Vine FM to gather many pairs of warm socks for those in need, providing a much-needed resource as temperatures drop.

“The Vine FM team is small but mighty,” Thompson said. “We’re incredibly proud of our three-person team for pulling off Socktober 2024 as a month-long community promotion. We know that socks are the number one requested clothing items at homeless shelters and needs-based assistance nonprofits, and we knew we had just the right listeners to step up and address this need."

Though a small team pulled the event together, according to Thompson, the community partners spread the word.

Sofa Spectrum, AR Workshop in Temecula, Southwest Healthcare Temecula Valley Hospital, Trailhead Chiropractic, and Cornerstone Church in Hemet were among those aiding in the collection effort, according to Thompson.

"Everyone's contributions played an instrumental role in this year’s success," he said.

A spokesperson for the Temecula Valley Hospital Volunteer Association shared their experience from the event on Facebook, saying, "This past October, our volunteers were able to donate $100 worth of socks to The Vine’s Socktober campaign for the homeless!" They said. We are so grateful we get to support our community and are constantly looking for ways to do so. Hopefully, this donation will keep some feet warm this winter."

The community sock donations were made to Project Touch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing homelessness and supporting vulnerable populations in Southwest Riverside County, Temecula Valley Hospital, and other local nonprofits that work closely with vulnerable populations.

Socktober is a national "sole warming movement that gives everyone an easy and fun way to help those in need, coordinated and donated to local nonprofit groups.

"The Vine FM extends heartfelt thanks to all listeners and partners who contributed to the success of Socktober 2024, making it a memorable month of community giving," Thompson said. "Each pair of socks collected represents a moment of kindness and connection, a small act that will significantly impact the winter season."