OKEECHOBEE -- The Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County hopes to brighten the holidays for local senior citizens, and keep their feet warm, with the annual Socks 4 Seniors drive.

"This will be our third year that the Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring our Socks 4 Seniors, and once again we need YOU to help make this event one that will put smiles on the faces and warm the hearts and toes of many of our seniors," explained Paulette Wise, chamber executive director. "Most facilities were in a locked down or semi-locked down position for months, but now are open and ready for visitors.  We want to continue helping senior citizens living in nursing homes to bring some Holiday cheer and cover the feet of many of our elderly seniors.  This has certainly been an unusual couple years for most everyone."

The chamber is asking community members to help by purchasing new, non-skid backed socks in   bright colors, funny patterns or Christmas designs. Socks can be  ped, mid or crew length. They must be new socks. 

Wise explained the socks with non-skid backings are most in need for seniors in nursing homes.

She said seniors  enjoy socks with bright colors. One 91-year-old nursing home resident told the chamber, "We’re just old, not dead, and we still have a sense of humor!”

"So, go ahead and purchase those fuzzy, warm, colorful, silly, funky and funnier patterned socks and drop them off here at the chamber.  Plain colored socks will work also," explained Wise.

"This year we will be able to package them and will ask for volunteers to help get them all ready.  We will take them to our various senior facilities as soon as we can so they can be handed out to their residents. 

"We’ve had several to say that they are ordering directly from our local businesses and some from online sources and having them shipped directly to us here at the chamber.  Great idea!  Please feel free to do the same," she added. The address is: Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County, 55 S Parrott Ave., Okeechobee, FL 34974.

The deadline to drop socks off  at the chamber will be Tuesday, Dec. 14 so that volunteers will have time to get them delivered before Christmas.   

"Remember, the holidays are supposed to be a fun time and the friendliest and most giving time of the year.  But, for some it can also be lonely and depressing and many times our seniors can get lost in the hustle and bustle.  Let’s get busy, put our best foot forward, and I can’t wait to see how our community gives to those that are worth more than just a pair of socks," Wise said.

If you would like to volunteer to help count and package them up, please call 863-467-6246.