This month, NSU has taken part in the Socktober campaign with the help of NSU’s Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. The Socktober campaign targets one of the most requested items in homeless shelters across the nation — socks.
Through the Socktober campaign, NSU has pledged that, for every $5 donated by members of the NSU community, the university will donate a pair of socks to a local homeless shelter near one of the university’s nine campuses throughout the state of Florida and Puerto Rico. Additionally, all proceeds made through the campaign will go toward the NSU Cares fund, which assists NSU students, alumni, faculty and staff who have been victims of natural disasters.
According to Gabriela Alvarado, the assistant director of annual giving of the division of university advancements at NSU, “It’s a win-win from every angle, to be completely honest. For every $5 donation, we give a pair of socks to the homeless, which were provided to [us through Geico and the] partnership we have with them. The proceeds will go to the NSU Cares fund, which goes back to our NSU community when we need it most.”
The Alumni Association set up a link for the Socktober campaign on the Give campus website to make donating as easy and straightforward as possible. The Give campus platform is not only the official crowdfunding site for NSU, but also does not charge any percentages from donors like other popular crowdfunding sites because all upfront costs are fronted by the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving.
“When we all together contribute to Socktober, we become a part of something really big that is not only making an impact on our NSU Cares fund, which is important, but also our local shelters around Florida and Puerto Rico. Community and service are values that are a part of NSU and if we can inflict that is positive way in our communities outside of NSU, it is also a great opportunity. So, I think Socktober allows us to do both at the same time,” said Alvarado.
The campaign has a goal of $25,000 that, as of yet, has not been reached — as the campaign comes to an end, Socktober has only reached 10% of its goal. While Alvarado mentioned that the goal may have been an overestimate, there will still be over 500 pairs of socks donated to the homeless shelters. Additionally, anyone who donates a minimum of $25 will receive a complementary NSU Cares lapel pin.
Those who are interested in donating to the Socktober campaign or checking out more information can find it online at tinyurl.com/NSUsocktober. Donations can also be made by texting NSUGIFT to 41444.
