ToastyToes collects 39,500 pairs of socks

Kitchener woman’s annual initiative gathers socks for homeless, draws cash donations

WATERLOO REGION — The outpouring of support, and socks, surprises Sharon Gilroy-Dreher every winter.

“I almost feel like I sit back and watch this magic happen,” she said.

The Kitchener woman’s ToastyToes initiative collects socks from Oct. 10 to Nov. 10 for people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness in the community.

This year, donations set another record — 39,500 pairs.

“It was unbelievable,” Gilroy-Dreher said.

That includes nearly $9,000 in cash donations. Thanks to a supplier, every dollar equals a pair of socks, although GilroyDreher is still looking for a sponsor to pay the tax.

Last year, 32,400 pairs were donated. The total for five drives over six years is 85,782 pairs.

The initiative started small in 2013 with friends and family in honour of GilroyDreher’s mother. Now, it’s a regionwide effort.

It also inspired similar collections in Guelph, with the first collection held there this year, and Elgin Middlesex.

This year, 100 groups across Waterloo Region collected socks, including tech companies, schools, organizations, hockey teams, and individuals.

“Our community … they’re just so generous,” Gilroy-Dreher said.

People want to help and she thinks ToastyToes is such a success because a pair of clean socks is something that’s easily understood. Kids in particular seem to really get it, and Gilroy-Dreher spoke at several local schools about the effort.

“I think we can all understand what it’s like to have cold feet,” she said.

For people experiencing homelessness, new socks are not just about comfort, but also avoiding health issues from wearing a wet and dirty pair.

Socks collected this year went to the Working Centre and Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank to distribute.

Gilroy-Dreher plans to continue with ToastyToes next year.

“If there’s a need, yes we’ll do it again.”