The volunteer auxiliary at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville seeks new socks and underwear donations for disadvantaged children in the area. Dubbed Operation Sock-It-To-Me kicked off this month and will run through April 24.
The initiative was inspired three years ago by a real life childhood experience of an auxiliary member. The socks and underwear will benefit disadvantaged children in children’s shelters, foster care programs and four Benton County Schools.
“Happiness back then was a new pair of socks,” explained BJ Johannsen, volunteer auxiliary member.
Johannsen lived in an orphanage for a short time in the 1940s when her parents were not financially able to care for her. The local auxiliary took on this challenge in 2013 and in that first year, garnered 2,000 pairs of socks.
“It may seem like a small thing not to have socks to warm your feet, until you are the one without socks,” said Cindy Sadler, volunteer coordinator at the Bentonville hospital.
This year, Northwest Medical Center - Bentonville Auxiliary has partnered with several Arvest Bank branches, Christian Women’s Club of Bella Vista and the Doubletree Hotel to serve as drop off centers for the donations.