Local Democrats Asking Residents to Donate Socks for Soldiers

On Saturday, the North Andover Democratic Town Committee will launch their Socks for Soldiers drive.

The committee is asking residents to donate new, unused tube socks for the troops serving in Afghanistan. All collected socks will be sent to an army unit in Afghanistan that includes North Andover residents.

“Most people don’t think of socks when they think of what our soldiers need,” said John Fouhy, who co-chairs the North Andover Democratic Town Committee with Hanssen. “But when we talked to people who have already served, they emphasized how important having a clean pair of socks was.”

Volunteers will collect socks from 9 a.m. to noon in front of the store at the First and Main shops on Main Street.

Can't make it That day? No problem. The sock drive continues the following Saturday, Sept. 24, also between 9 a.m. and noon at the Converse store. Residents can also donate socks any time during the week at either the Main Street or Johnson Street fire stations.

“This is a great way for North Andover to support local troops in Afghanistan, which includes at least one North Andover Firefighter,” said long-time volunteer Mark DiSalvo. “I know volunteers certainly appreciate that the fire stations are acting as drop-off locations. We hope to have a great haul.”

There are more than 100,000 soldiers still deployed in Afghanistan. Due to the terrain and climate in that region, socks tend quickly wear out and cause blisters. The Socks for Soldiers drive aims to provide a little comfort.

"Democratic Town Committee volunteers typically spend the fall working on political campaigns,” Committee Cochair Bryan Hanssen said in announcing the drive. “But with no campaigns happening this fall, and being the 10th anniversary of 9/11, we thought supporting our troops would be an excellent use of our time.”

For more information, email nademocrats@gmail.com.