‘Socktober’ campaign aims to warm the hearts and feet of children in foster care
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – According to foster care initiatives one of the most overlooked items of children in foster care is clean socks. Foster care agencies say there is a high demand for socks for foster children especially in the colder months.
Nonprofit organizations of Cape Girardeau are working to combat this issue.
The Socktober Campaign is now underway in Cape Girardeau. This campaign aims to warm the hearts and feet of children in foster care.
Dr. Kay Kizer is the author and founder of Kays Carry-on, a nonprofit organization helping children in the foster system based in the Cape Girardeau area.
“I was actually born into the foster care system, and I felt like I lacked many items as a child, you know, including clothing” says Kizer.
Dr. Kizer has also written a book with the help of others who grew up in orphanages or foster care, giving them a platform to share their stories called ‘Faces of Foster Care’.
Dr. Kizer shares her current campaign is called Socktober and through the campaign, there are four drop off locations all over Cape Girardeau that citizen’s can drop off new socks, underwear, or even gloves or coats for foster children through the end of October.
Dr. Kizer shares her passion behind the project.
“Meeting the need of the children in our community, I substitute teach for Cape Girardeau school district, so I see a lot of kids coming to school without socks. Or maybe they don’t have a scarf, and some kids even come to school without a coat” says Kizer. “So, it’s hard to see children walk into a school and they don’t have anything to cover their hands, or you know, just what they need to come to school comfortable.”
Matiss Vitols-Vitolins, is the Executive Director of ‘Impact 1 More’. A nonprofit organization based through Rock of Cape Church that provides a clothing closet, and more to anyone in need. Currently they are accepting donations to provide families in need with a thanksgiving dinner, to help fill the growing need during the government shutdown.
Vitols-Vitolins shares that like Dr.Kizer, this is personal for him.
“I was one that grew up in an orphanage, back in Latvia which is near, Russia and, in Europe and so she’s true about, you know, what she does and the fact that a lot of orphanages and foster families only have two sets of clothing” says Vitols-Vitolins. “So, for me, it’s the personal experience, you know, that draw wanting to be part of her initiative and welcoming her into, what impact one more does.”
Vitols-Vitolins and Dr. Kizer actively work together through their passion to help children, and community overcome challenges they have faced.
Taking their dark experiences and turning them into something good. Both organizations run off of donations and volunteers.
If you would like to make a donation for Socktober there are multiple drop off locations listed below, these locations will be there through the end of October. Donations of socks, hats, gloves, and underwear should be new and not previously worn.
For other donations and additional information Kay’s Carry On
SADI- 755 S Kingshighway St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
John Sinclair Nissan- 478 Siemers Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce- 220 N Fountain Street, Cape Girardeau, MO
Edge Realty- 2511 Independence street, #100 Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Impact 1 More also accepts clothing donations by appointment drop off appointments can be made by calling Rock of Cape Church at 573-339-1811 or a drop off location is located at 937 Broadway, Cape Girardeau.
For other donations: Home – Impact 1 more
For more information on books written with the help of Dr. Kay Kizer.
Amazon.com: Kay Kizer: books, biography, latest update
Dr. Kizer is looking for more people who grew up in the foster care system, or group homes, or an orphanage who wants to tell their story in an upcoming book.
If interested, you can email her at kaykizer3@gmail.com.
