Socks without a home
Socks from Grandma will warm those who will be on the street on Christmas Eve this year. Elpida and the Salvation Army present a joint project that warms several times.
Prague, November 20, 2018 - Two organizations whose DNA is to help have joined forces this year to present a joint Christmas project aimed at warming the feet (and hearts) of the homeless. That's because anyone who buys a pair of Grandma's Socks this year can donate them to a person in need. No need to worry about anything else, it's all run by Elpida and the Salvation Army.
The project Socks from Grandma, which is backed by the pro-senior organization Elpida, gives work and the joy of feeling useful to knowmore than 200 grandmothers and supports the running of an educational and cultural centre for active seniors. Thanks to the cooperation with the Salvation Army, it adds another warm dimension - it warms the feet of the homeless. And hearts.
Grandma's socks cost CZK 299, but not everyone can afford them. Thanks to the help of people who would like to make the cold moments more pleasant for people in need, friendly organisations can ensure that the socks reach people who lack warmth in their lives.
The socks can be easily ordered online at shop.elpida.cz, but the warm package is not given to the shopper, but to the person in need.
The first handover of the sock donation to the Salvation Army will take place on Friday 7 December. During the knitting workshop Socks without a Home, which Elpida is organising as a Christmas special dedicated to knitting for people in need. During the Friday afternoon anyone can come, learn how to knit and possibly buy socks that will keep those who will be homeless this Christmas (not only) warm.
The project is part of the #GivingTuesday campaign, a global holiday of giving that encourages and celebrates the desire to help and do good deeds as a counterbalance to the Black Friday shopping frenzy. This year Giving Tuesday falls on Tuesday 27 November 2018, kicking off the charitable season before Christmas.
How do you help when you see a homeless person sitting or lying on the street?
1. Reach out to him or her - don't be afraid to ask if they're okay, if they know their way around, who they are and what's going on.
2. Call an ambulance - if the person is in poor health, cannot see, talk or walk, call for an ambulance.
3. Offer help - if the person is communicating with you, ask if they need food, clothing or a warm soft drink.
4 Contact outreach workers - even if the homeless person does not want to talk to you and refuses help. The Salvation Army, or similar organizations that provide outreach programs, have experience in how to communicate with homeless people and offer them immediate help.
5. Donate winter clothing - but also shoes, socks, underwear. In winter and cold weather, the most important thing is to provide warmth. If you have blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing, hats, gloves, socks, winter boots at home that you no longer use, donate them to the Salvation Army or another organization that is dedicated to the homeless.
6. Purchase Socks from a homeless grandmother or Nocleženka, which expressed great solidarity with homeless people last winter.
Media contact
Lada Brůnová ~ lada.brunova@elpida.cz ~ +420 739 659 456
Elpida
Elpida means hope in Greek. But it is also the name of an organization that helps seniors become a confident and respected part of society. In the spirit of the Old's Cool motto, Elpida is changing the way people look at old age - it runs the Elpida Educational and Cultural Centre for seniors fromPrague and the Senior Crisis Line, founded the brand Socks from Grandma, publishes the magazine VITAL, and organises the intergenerational Old's Cool festival. In short, she is trying to make Czech seniors lead a full & happy life.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army supports people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, but also those who are looking for any kind of spiritual help or support. The Salvation Army operates social services and community centres providing over 60 registered social services.