Yuma Podiatrist Talks about the Importance of Socks for Homeless

Here is an article that appeared in the Yuma Times on Dec 9, 2009.
Eventhough this doctor is collecting socks for a mission in his city (Yuma, Arizona) the importance of new socks for homeless people is just as real each and every day. Please help Comfort Socks provide new socks to homeless shelters all across our nation.

Dr. Stanton Cohen, a podiatrist, is concerned about keeping
people's feet warm during the winter season. So, he's collecting new
socks to donate to Crossroads Mission (Yuma, AZ).
"Socks are an important piece of clothing at this time of year,
especially for the homeless," he said. "Socks can help prevent foot
problems by keeping the skin clean and dry."
Cohen has been conducting his sock drive for more than ten years,
and is asking the public to bring socks of all sizes for men, women,
children and infants to his practice, 1743 W. 24th St.
He will place the donated socks on a "sock tree" at his office.....

"We collect all types of socks for people of all ages, including infants,
because down at the mission, there are families in need. Being a foot
doctor, I realize how important it is to your keep your feet warm and
protected, especially in cold weather."
Cohen said Yuma can be dangerous, even if it rarely gets below
freezing.
"In cold weather, people with poor circulation can get frostbite, even in
Yuma, if their feet are wet and they are outside sleeping. Go to the
tent city at the river and see how many are living down there without
proper anything. So anything we can do to help these people,
especially this time of year when our thoughts turn to our fellow
human beings, is important."
Cohen said many people don't donate socks and underwear.
"A lot of people donate used clothes, but people rarely donate socks
because they normally wear them until they have holes in them. It is
good for a person's self-worth when they get new socks instead of
used socks. They normally don't get socks through the normal
channels."
Cohen said he enjoys providing the socks to people he may never
meet.
"I have a philosophy about charity. The best charity is when you give
to somebody and they don't know it's from you, so you don't feel
superior and they don't feel indebted to you because you gave them
something, which is why I give them to the mission to be distributed
anonymously."

This article is ussed with permission from
http://www.yumasun.com/
http://www.yumasun.com/news/socks-54768-cohenpeople.
html#slComments

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-
6849.