Erie, Pennsylvania – There’s an expression about humility that says, “I put my socks on one foot at a time like everyone else”. For the second season in a row, the Erie Otters Hockey Club and its fans combined their efforts on Saturday, October 29 to assure that those in need in the Erie community would be able to put socks on their feet like everyone else during the harsh winter season.
The newly-annual Charity Sock Toss – which launched last season for the Otters as the first in the history of the Ontario Hockey League – encouraged fans to bring new, packaged socks to throw on the ice during the first intermission of the Wizardry Night game. The socks would be collected, counted, and donated to the Erie City Mission, located just a block from the Erie Insurance Arena.
The Erie City Mission is a non-profit organization working to eradicate homelessness in Erie County, with the donated socks being distributed to those in need in the community. Homeless and Resource Shelters, like the Erie City Mission, consider socks to be the number one most requested and needed item – especially in the winter. After collecting an impressive 1,591 pairs of socks in the inaugural season, the Otters and their fans were able to toss 1,739 pairs of socks onto the ice:
- 1096 pairs of Men’s Socks
- 420 pairs of Women’s Socks
- 223 pairs of Children’s Socks
In addition to the socks tossed on the ice during Saturday night’s game, St. Martin’s Early Learning Center utilized their socks collected during their annual Socktober drive to benefit the Otters’ efforts with the Erie City Mission. In total, the Giraffe Class at the Early Learning Center were able to add an additional 542 pairs of socks to the collected total. On Tuesday morning, Otters’ mascot Otto, alongside Media Relations Manager Shawn Bednard and Community Relations Assistant Madison Maurice surprised the students to thank them for their work. Early Learning Center Director Angela Restchler spoke to the children’s efforts and collaborating with the Erie Otters.
“We like to find different ways to partner with the community and other people are working toward the same common goal. When we found out the Otters were having a Sock Toss, [the Giraffe Class] wanted to provide their socks to help out with that effort.” said Rentschler, “The kids are learning that, even at their young age, they can make a difference and an impact in their community. Nothing is too small to help somebody else.”
With the addition of the donation from the Early Learning Center, the total collected number equaled 2281 pairs of socks. Erie City Mission Director of Development Erin Layden oversaw approval and future-distribution of the collected socks. Excess items will be given to other Resource Centers in northwest Pennsylvania.
“I am blown away by the generosity and kindness of the Otters’ fans, the students at ELC, and the Erie community who supported the Erie City Mission during this year’s sock toss. As the cold weather approaches, the need for warm, dry socks is vital for those who are experiencing homelessness and are unable to purchase multiple pairs of socks.” said Layden, “We could not help those we serve without support from our community—that is why we say this is Our City, Our Mission. Thank you!”
On Wednesday morning, Otters’ Vice President of Business Operations Chad Westerburg, Digital Content Manager Jeep DiCioccio, Assistant Coach Wes Wolfe, Captain Cameron Morton, as well as Bednard, Maurice and mascot Otto delivered the donated items to the Erie City Mission.
“It is truly humbling to see the continued generosity and selflessness of our fans and the Erie community. It is initiatives and events like this that continue to push the envelope on why we have the best fans in hockey.” said Bednard, “Our organization is truly humbled by the donations from our youngest supporters at the Early Learning Center, to those in jerseys on Saturday night who threw the socks onto the ice. We are already looking forward to year three of the Toss!”
In total the last two seasons, the Erie Otters have been able to donate nearly 4000 pairs of socks to those in need through the Erie City Mission.
“On behalf of our entire organization, I want to send a massive thank you to all of our fans for continuing to support our Charity Sock Toss event.” said Westerburg, “Being able to utilize our platform and passionate fanbase to do genuine good back for our community is incredible, and we couldn’t do it without the support of so many here in Erie.”
The Erie Otters and Erie City Mission send their sincerest thanks to the St. Martin’s Early Learning Center, Otters’ fans and those in attendance from Saturday night’s game for being part of an annual tradition in Erie hockey. If you were unable to attend the game but would still like to support the Erie City Mission, please head to ErieCityMission.org.
