East Providence woman's 'Socktober' helps community with thousands of socks

A woman with a lot of love for her community, and compassion for those less fortunate is celebrating the 10th year of her fundraiser, 'Socktober.'

In 2014, Christine Alves collected new socks, in an effort to help those in need.

“Socktober goes back to 2014 at Orlo Avenue Elementary School in East Providence," said Alves. “For us, socks, we just go in our drawer and pull out a pair of socks. As the cold weather hits, it’s hard for our homeless population or underprivileged population so if I can help,- that’s what keeps me going.”

Each year, she puts a call out to her community.

Alves asks people all over to donate socks of all kinds to the drive.

“One thing about our community here in East Providence if you know anything about being a townie. Townies help whenever there’s a need," she said. 'Over the years it has been amazing. I'm hoping since this is the 10th anniversary i'tll be the best one yet."

What started out as one school's support has turned into nearly all of them.

Alves currently works at East Providence High School as an administrative assistant of support personnel.

She has placed bins all over the school that she said has been nothing but supportive.

“The fact that the students are taking this ride along with me with kindness and that ripple effect you can’t ask for anything else," she said. “The fundraiser I usually start October 1st, but as you know there’s sales around the holidays and Black Fridays and Amazon and I’ll get socks in July. I'll get socks near Christmas and I put them aside for October and it to my count and donations."

The East Providence Police Department, mcShortagee's Market, Centreville Bank, Jules Hope Chest, Cynthia Cabana Realty and several other people are collecting socks.

She also has an Amazon wish list.

She said strangers have even shipped her socks.

“Last year was probably my highest at 5,362 pairs of socks," said Alves. “The UPS drivers and Amazon drivers, they know when it’s October at my house.”

East Providence High School has seen a significant increase of donations from students and families over the years.

The school not only mentions it on morning announcements, the Student Council and National Honor Society along with several others make it fun.

“If you donate socks you can get stuff for you, Burger King coupons raffle ticket for a free yearbook and stuff like that," said Trinity Provencher, a junior. “We have tons of socks right now getting donated.”

“We had a goal for 300 last week alone and we were able to surpass that by a little bit," said James Cassamas, a senior. “It’s really nice to not only help our own high school but the community, our city and the surrounding area.”

“It’s pretty popular for us. I’ve known about it since I was a freshman," said Marcus Rocha, a senior. “I think people typically think we need those long socks for me. When it could really go for anybody. There’s babies out there that need baby socks to cover their little cold feet, there's women that need them. You need different types of socks for different things.”

The fundraiser, runs through the end of October.

Though Alves is always willing to pick up a pair of socks year-round.

She sorts them all, and then distributes them to those in need all over the ocean state.

She always has pairs in her car and hands them out in Kennedy Plaza in Providence.

They're also given to domestic violence shelters, Crossroads, and the Faith and Hope Drive LLC.

“Socks are the least donated and most needed articles of clothing besides underwear and undergarments," said Alves. “It just feels good to give back. It’s the best feeling in the world when you deliver socks. If you don’t have any place to live in, I just want you to be comfortable and warm and safe.”

“A lot of the kids when we set up the table at the schools in East Providence we give them a choice of clothes, socks, underwear to choose from and they all go for the socks. One of the hottest items out there," said Carl Sweeney, the Co-Founder of the 'Faith and Hope Drive LLC.'We really appreciate Christine and the community. They really know what it is to be a townie and how important it is and our community is awesome.”

Students at East Providence High School told NBC10, Alves going above her job duties is much appreciated.

“I think it goes to show her character and how she’s really motivated in the community and she thrives off of seeing other people do just as well," said Rocha.

“It’s really inspirational to see how she’s taking her job and using it for the betterment of everybody," added Cassasmas.

Alves can be reached at [email protected]

To get into contact otherwise, she can be reached via phone at East Providence High School.

Socks can be dropped off there too.