#OpSocks 2.0

Greetings Citizens of the Interwebs,

Last year we noticed that during the warmer months of the years people seem to have forgotten the homeless. The further we get away from the holidays the less people think about the homeless. The Seattle Gospel Mission hasn't forgotten. They hand out around 15,000 pairs of socks a year resulting into about 50 pairs an evening. During the summer donations are at their lowest. Last year we started #OpSocks as an attempt to help raise awareness for the homeless and help increase donations. This year we would like to make it bigger and we need your help. In America we spend more time debating the fate of unborn children than we do about the homeless. Some deem homeless to be the lowest form of humanity and its sickening. America has pushed an anti homeless agenda by banning things like sleeping outside (ie camping laws) and making loitering arrests for the homeless more common. Meanwhile they continue to cut Mental Health funding and shelter funding.

This is an op for everyone, even people who don't associate with Anonymous. This is a global op. Feel free to start up twitter page, facebook page, create #OpSocks graffiti, or however you would like to share the message.

We will be updating this paste frequently. Share all info with the hash #OpSocks so we can add it.

The listed links below may not be relevant to where you live but you can always fire up whatever search engine you prefer and find something locally.

An idea of how to donate socks to a local charity http://www.ugm.org/site/PageServer?pagename=socks

This year along with socks we would like to donate hygiene kits

In a zip lock bag with a few other zip lock bags
soap
toothbrush
toothpaste
washcloth or hand towel
deodorant
comb
shampoo
tissues
hand sanitizer
hand lotion
feminine hygiene products
shaving products
lip balm
sunscreen

Link below gives you an idea where to take them
http://www.volunteerguide.org/hours/service-projects/hygiene-kits

Infant care baskets
Diapers
Diaper Rash Ointment
Baby Wipes
Baby Formula
Baby Food
New Bottles
New Pacifiers
Blankets (new or gently used)
Baby Shampoo/Soap
New Baby Clothes (especially onesies)
Sun hats
Children’s books
Car safety seat
Baby nail clippers

Additional Needs:

sun hats
sturdy shoes
clothes for job interviews

http://www.coloradocoalition.org/volunteer/community_drives/itemsneeded.aspx

Water and durable water bottles are always needed

Bus Passes https://www.orcacard.com/ERG-Seattle/p4_006a.do?m=21

Unused gift cards (you probably have some laying around)

Creating laminated maps to shelters and other sources of help.

Recently some groups have opened businesses to give job training to the homeless (which is incredible) like Helpings Cafe and Catering http://www.umom.org/get-involved/helpings/ and Farestart http://www.farestart.org/

If you want a better community surrounding you it is imperative to works towards making it better.

Follow #OpSocks on twitter for updates and to share your links.

Anonymous