Michelle, Head volunteer for the ‘519Pledge-booth’ (Lobke D’Haens / XFM News)
The “519Pledge” is an initiative of “519Pursuit” where people collect socks for the homeless. Over a period of a month and a half, they have their own booth every Saturday at the Covent Garden Market to receive donations.
Socks are so overlooked, but when you’re on the streets without them, you can catch frostbite.
Michelle, Head volunteer for the 519Pledge-booth
Michelle is head volunteer for the ‘519Pledge’ and was once homeless herself. She personally experienced what it was like to live on the streets and knows how important it is to have a pair of clean and warm socks. “There were some winters that were so cold, that one of my friends got frostbite,” she explained. ‘519Pursuit’ helped her out back then and now she wants to do the same for her friends that still live on the streets.
I want to be able to go to sleep at night knowing that they are comfy and not in a position where I once was.
Michelle, Head volunteer for the 519Pledge-booth
Lobke D’Haens / XFM News
In recent years, ‘519Pusuit’ has seen a sharp increase in donations. “It started with about 25 thousand pairs of socks being donated. Every year the number kept increasing and last year there were 82 thousand donations,” Michelle says. “That’s why this year our goal is to collect 100 thousand pairs of socks by the end of the pledge. We do prefer white socks over colored ones, because they won’t stain their feet if they wear them for too long. But honestly all kinds of socks are welcome at the end of the day!”
According to Michelle, the pledge on October 21 was already a great success, as a total of 423 pairs of socks were donated.
I want to do my part, because it is so easy to pick up some packages of socks and donate them.
Jackie, donated several pairs of socks to the 519Pledge
Sandie, volunteer for ‘519Pusuit’ and formerly homeless (Lobke D’Haens / XFM News)
During the pledge, a lot of people come by to donate and one of those people is Sandie. She was homeless on the streets of Toronto for 16 years, but was finally able to find a home here in London. After a couple of months, she came in contact with Allison, organizer of ‘519Pusuit’ and she gave Sandie the opportunity to get involved and be a volunteer. Now she herself donates socks to the pledge, so she can help others in need.
Socks are one of the most important tools that you need when you are living on the street!
Sandie, volunteer for ‘519Pursuit’ and formerly homeless
Signing up for the ‘519Pledge’ is possible until November 15, and the booth can still be found at Covent Garden Market for the next three upcoming Saturdays.
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