Each year, the Cabrini community works to engage themselves in acts of service and giving. This year they used that goal to celebrate Cabrini’s 60th anniversary and break a world record all in one big event, Sox for 60.
Currently the world record for the largest sock drive in eight hours at a single location is 2,459 pairs of socks. Cabrini University hopes to claim that record in Grace Hall from 12-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
Why socks? Cabrini has been partnered with The Joy of Sox since their founding in 2010, with their founder being married to one of Cabrini’s trustees, Nancy Costello.
“For the 60th we felt as though it was a natural connection,” Jacqueline Marciano, director of alumni engagement and annual giving for institutional advancement, said. “It’s a name that our constituents are familiar with and can easily get behind.”
The Joy of Sox are not looking for just any type of socks for this drive. The preferred donation is men’s wool socks. This type is best for the homeless population receiving the socks, as regular socks are simply not durable or waterproof enough to keep them healthy.
“Wool socks are a breathable fabric and cotton holds in the moisture. So, if you are a homeless person you’re not changing your socks everyday and if you have the moisture being held against your skin it’s going to cause infections and other problems,” Jessica Webster, director for conferences and events at Cabrini, said. “So the wool socks is what is needed, and men’s in particular is because 85 percent of the homeless population in Philadelphia is men.”
While these socks may be expensive if buying them from a store, Cabrini has already purchased many two-packs of these socks from a local distributor in order to resell to anyone looking to participate. Student participation is especially encouraged, with a special prize for the class that has the most participation.
“We want them to as a whole come together and try and compete against each other,” Marciano said. “The class that has the most participation through our sock shops will win a special lunch in the mansion on Feb. 24, but it’s only the people who participate. So, if you don’t play, you don’t get an invitation, even if your class wins.”
These “sock shops” will be located throughout campus for the convenience of students, faculty and staff. Beginning Feb. 6, two-packs of the men’s wool socks can be purchased for $5 from the Alumni and SEaL offices during normal business hours Monday through Friday. There will also be a “sock shop” in Founder’s lobby and the Dixon Pavilion from Feb. 6-14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
After purchasing the socks, do not forget to bring them to Grace Hall for donation on Feb. 15. Those who cannot physically attend can give their socks to a friend to be donated. Marciano encourages existing clubs and organizations to come donate together as a community that day.
“There’ll be activities that day,” Marciano said. “You can write letters, well wishes to the homeless, a photo booth, games and food- sock food.”
