TIFTON — Donations are being accepted for the sixth annual “Sock It To ‘Em With Love” sock drive.

Commissioner Melissa Hughes, who started and heads up the drive, said that the idea came to her when she saw children walking to school in the winter with no socks.

“With the very unusual cold weather we are having, socks may not seem like a necessity, unless you don’t have them,” Hughes said.

She said that while the annual coat drive she heads up provides coats for children, often little things like socks are forgotten.

“I want to help ease the burden of the parents or caretakers and show the children some love by having this event right before Valentine’s Day,” Hughes said. “They see the ladies getting roses, candy and cards; I want them to know they are loved as well.” 

Hughes said she already has two cases of socks donated so far and is always looking for more.

She is also looking for volunteers, saying that it is a great community service activity for students to put on college transcripts.

“I’m really hoping we have another great year, Hughes said.

Donations are being accepted from Jan. 8 though Feb. 10 at the Charles Kent Building Commissioner’s Office, the ADR Director’s Office behind Charles Kent Building B and the Tiftarea YMCA.

The socks will be distributed at Copeland Park on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Partners for the drive are Amerigroup Real Solutions in Healthcare, Tift County and Tifton Housing Authority.

For more information contact Commissioner Melissa Hughes at melissa.hughes@tiftcounty.org or (229) 326-0241.

Follow Eve Guevara on Twitter @EveGuevaraTTG.