Oakdale’s Code Enforcement Officer Diana Guerrero is hoping to make a difference.

But this time, not in the way of correcting code violations, but in helping those less fortunate.

“I invite you all to join me in SOCKTOBER 2021 here in the City of Oakdale,” Guerrero said. “For the past seven years, I have collected socks with the help of several Stanislaus County agencies and I’ve taken them to the shelters to donate for those citizens in need in our community. In previous years, we were able to reach our goal of 2000 pairs of socks and we hope to exceed that goal this year. We will be setting up donation bins throughout Oakdale where you can drop off your donation of new pairs of adult size socks.”

Prior to working in Oakdale, Guerrero worked for Stanislaus County and started the yearly collection of new socks. Those collected will be used for the care packages that are put together for the yearly point in time homeless count through Stanislaus County.

She noted that socks are the least donated item to most homeless shelters and often one of those they need the most.

The homeless count that was done in Stanislaus County in January 2020 indicated that there are approximately 2,107 homeless individuals residing in the county.

“This is our opportunity as a community to come together in a big way and donate new pairs of socks to those in need,” Guerrero said. “Our goal this year is to raise 2,500 pairs of adult size socks.”

The Sock Collection will be from Friday, Oct. 1 through Saturday, Oct. 31. Guerrero is asking residents to pick up an extra pair of socks or two when they shop and donate them to the effort. Socks can be of any color/style and will be distributed to homeless adults, families, and single transitional age youth (ages 18 to 24 years old) who are sleeping on the streets and local shelters.

Collection barrels will be set up at a number of special Socktober Drop Off locations starting on Oct. 1.

Guerrero added that residents are also encouraged to join in each Friday during October for a “Fun Sock” Day; show your support by wearing silly socks on Fridays. Oct. 1 is mismatch socks day; Oct. 8 Super Hero socks; Oct. 15, Holiday socks; Oct. 22, Food socks; Oct. 29, Halloween socks day.

Businesses participating as asked to take pictures with co-workers in the fun socks and email them to Guerrero at SOCKTOBER95361@gmail.com

“We look forward to seeing your enthusiastic and generous participation in SOCKTOBER 2021, as the City of Oakdale and Stanislaus County work together to help those in need in our communities,” Guerrero said. “Thank you for your support.”