everyone deserves home

Over 100,000 Socks Received – 10,000 This Year Alone

December 23, 2019

Volunteer Receives National Philanthropy Day Award

Congregation Emanu-El, McGregor Socks, generous donors and the Victoria Cool Aid Society have worked in partnership for 12 years to bring warm socks to the feet of Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens each winter. This month’s shipment of 10,000 new pairs of socks brings the total to 102,500 pairs, valued at over $500,000, that this partnership has brought to Vancouver Island – delivered to those in need by the 25 organizations and services listed below located in Victoria, Duncan, Salt Spring and Nanaimo.

This incredible outpouring of practical and compassionate love is the result of the hard work of Congregation Emanu-El’s Michael Bloomfield, who has worked with McGregor Socks, ensured shipment of the socks to Victoria, and individually solicited dozens of donors to pick up expenses each year. As a result of his extraordinary volunteer efforts, Michael was recently awarded the Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. (see news release)

This is a powerful and inspiring story of compassion and cooperation.  Begun by one concerned person it has grown to include our generous partners McGregor Socks, Cool Aid, Congregation Emanu-El, and the donors who have made this possible every year. This year’s donors include: Alan Rycroft, Alice Ma, Andrew Beckerman, Binghang Sun, Hon. Carole James, Craig Doell (BMO), Hon. Rob Fleming, Colin Gareau, Congregation Emanu-El, Cool Aid, David Fitzpatrick, Stephen White, Glen McElroy, DDS, Guy Pilch, Hong Li, Hutcheson & Co., Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Jean and Graham Dragushan, Juan Wang, Lan Hong, Lanlin Bu, La-Z-Boy Galleries Victoria-Nanaimo, Lindy & Stanley Shortt, Louis Sutker, Michael & Christine Bloomfield, Penny Tennenhouse, Phyllis Chuly, Waddell Raponi, Wei He and Yan Sun.

The 10,000 pairs of socks will be given to people who are homeless and at risk by 25 local social service agencies (see list below) that work together to serve our community.

– END –

Information:   CoolAid.org     congregationemanuel.ca     mcgregorsocks.com

Michael Bloomfield, Congregation Emanu-El: Avodah, 250-380-3001, bloom@islandnet.com

Kathy Stinson, CEO, Victoria Cool Aid Society, 250-414-4792, kstinson@CoolAid.org

Rob Stanley V.P. Sales | McGregor Industries, Toronto, 1-416-593-5353 x373 RStanley@mcg-ae.com


Partner Agencies Who Will Receive and Distribute Socks

  • Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness
  • AVI Health and Community Services
  • Anawim House
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Burnside Gorge Community Association
  • CARTS (Christian Actions Reflecting The Spirit)
  • Congregation Emanu-El
  • Dandelion Society
  • Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness
  • Hope Farm (Duncan)
  • Victoria Youth Clinic Society
  • Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter
  • Everyone Deserves A Smile (Nanaimo)
  • Out of the Rain Youth Shelter
  • Pacifica Housing Services
  • PEERS Office
  • Rainbow Kitchen
  • Salt Spring Island Community Services
  • 1 UP Single Parent Resource Centre
  • Sooke Food Bank
  • Threshold Society
  • Umbrella Society
  • Victoria Cool Aid Society
  • Victoria EWP shelters
  • Victoria Native Friendship Centre