Mentors and youths collect socks for seniors

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada Mentor Center is hosting a Socks for Seniors drive in Carson City and Virginia City.

Red boxes will be distributed around the community to collect new socks for seniors in local convalescent homes.

Socks for Seniors is a national program that holds drives for new socks around the country, with the motto, "They're worth a pair of socks ... don't you think?"

The Socks for Seniors website, www.socksforseniors.com, explains senior citizens don't only enjoy traditional sock choices. The founders write of one senior, "When giving Emma Mae the choice of socks at a nursing home distribution location she quickly choose the bright colored, striped, individual toe socks and immediately said 'We're just old, not dead and we still have a sense of humor, I want those!'"

The Mentor Center is a Carson City program that matches youths from the community with adult volunteers who spend a minimum of an hour a week doing things like playing board games, making dinner and setting goals.

Every year the mentors and youths participate in a group service project. In the past they have collected canned food, packed boxes for the troops, and made treat bags for children staying in shelters.

"So often the youth in our program are on the receiving end of services," said Director Ruth Gordon. "I think it is important for them to see that they have the power to help others as well. A sock drive for seniors is a fun, easy way for the citizens of Carson to help these mentees give back."

The Mentor Center is collaborating with the Nevada Commission on Tourism for this project, and the red boxes for collection can be found in local community offices and stores until Dec. 20.

Collection boxes can be found at the Nevada Commission on Tourism office in the Laxalt Building, City Hall, Gold's Gym and various other locations.

For more information about donating socks or becoming a mentor for an area youth, call (775) 445-3346 or email ruthg@bgcwn.org.