Our Mission
The Woolgathering Project (TWP) is a community-based 501(c)(3) committed to "spreading the love and sharing the warmth" one pair of socks at a time. Since 2013, TWP has worked with schools, churches, businesses and individuals to collect a little warmth in Sock Boxes around the country. And together with local shelters and organizations we have distributed over 50,000 pairs (and counting!) to the most vulnerable of us living without heat or homes. Thank you for joining us in our mission. We couldn't do our work without your support.
How to Donate
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Monetary Donations
We can pick out socks or other warm items to distribute on your behalf. Donating via PayPal will ensure that we can immediately run out and buy toasty goods to share right away.
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Wish List Fulfillment
We have created an Amazon “Wish List” of desperately needed items that will be delivered right to our doorstep and distributed on your behalf.
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DIY Sock Box Events
Interested in hosting your own event or partnering with a local business to collect donations? We can provide the instructions and Sock Box graphics to help organize your event.
About Us
The Woolgathering Project was born in 2013 out of a conversation between two friends one wintry day, cuddled up on a couch with cocoa and an appreciation for a warm room and cozy socks. While counting themselves fortunate, the realization that so many men, women and children face harsh conditions without heat or homes inspired the two women into action. Upon learning that socks are the most requested but least donated items at shelters, they reached out to friends and family to collect as many pairs as possible during that difficult winter to be distributed to those in need. And after seeing firsthand how valued such a seemingly small item truly was, as well as how involved people became after hearing the “sock call” to help the most vulnerable members in their community, a simple conversation turned into a mission. Over the last seven years friends of The Woolgathering Project have hosted sock drives all over Chicagoland, California, Wisconsin and Ohio. From Boy Scout Troops to birthday parties, and in schools, theaters, restaurants, churches, companies, neighborhoods and stores, over 50,000 pairs of socks have been collected and distributed to organizations and individuals who are most in need of this vital—but often overlooked—donation.
Something as small as a pair of socks can make a huge difference to someone in need and we so appreciate you hearing the “sock call” too. It’s only because of the tremendous support by members of our community that we are able to keep our mission going strong.
Thank you for helping us share the warmth and spread the love one pair of socks at a time!
Questions or Ideas?
Drop us a line and let’s chat!
“The impact of socks is immeasurable. What is trivial to most, is life saving to those who reside on the streets. Life is difficult without proper foot care. Imagine wearing the same pair of wet socks for two weeks or shoes that fit improperly, then imagine having to walk long distances to get to basic necessities. This is the constant struggle for those who are unhoused. They try to maintain their feet to the best of their ability, but staying dry and clean is not always possible. We have literally seen people in tears at the sight of a fresh, clean, new pair of socks. A new pair of socks can turn a bad day into a better day.
A huge thank you goes out to The Woolgathering Project!! Your giving and sacrifice is very much appreciated and continued success to all the other agencies you help.”
- Aaron Garza
Chief Giving Officer,
Angel of Lower Wacker Drive
