A pile of 641 socks was heaped high around the base of the Christmas tree inside the clubhouse of the Chartwell Green 55-plus townhouse complex in Walnut Grove on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

They were about to be packed up and transported that morning to 91原创鈥檚 Gateway of Hope homeless shelter, along with 51-hand-knitted toques, and some scarfs and gloves as well.

All the socks were new, and most were cold-weather.

It was the biggest amount collected to date, explained Beverley Genge, who coordinated the sock collection.

鈥業t鈥檚 a milestone,鈥� Genge told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淟ast year was 485, that was our top [until now].鈥�

A boost was provided when resident of the neighbouring Southwind Estates complex came aboard.

Leon Black, from Southwind, who attended the Wednesday event, explained he was 鈥渇riends with Bev, and that鈥檚 how we got involved.鈥�

Genge also gave a shout-out to Chartwell鈥檚 Deb Milne (who was not present) and her knitting group, who hand-made the 51 toques.,

Virginia Cooke said the sock drive came about around five years ago, when some people in the St. George鈥檚 Church outreach committee wanted to make the best use of their donations, and asked a Gateway staffer what was needed most.

Cooke, co-chair of the outreach committee recalled the response.

鈥淵ou know what?鈥� What we really need are socks,鈥� the staffer told them. 鈥淭he indigent and the homeless are just suffering in the winter because they don鈥檛 have any clear, dry socks to wear.鈥�

鈥淪o that鈥檚 how it all started,鈥� Cooke said.

Many members of the congregation were residents of Chartwell Green.

Marilyn Leonidas, chair of Chartwell Green鈥檚 social committee, said the residents of the 178-unit complex tend to be generous when charities are involved.

鈥淥ur community has offered donations to both 91原创 food banks,鈥� Leonidas enthused.

鈥淲e [also] did a drive for the 91原创 Christmas Bureau.鈥�

More pictures from the day can viewed online at the