BUCKHANNON – Buckhannon’s Shoe Sensation location raised more than 1,000 pairs of socks for veterans throughout the community.

Shoe Sensation manager Genevia Jenkins said all of the chain’s 230 locations totaled 62,300 pairs of socks and 240 sets of shoelaces.

“It all went back to local veterans in the communities where the stores are located,” Jenkins said. “Our store ended up with 1,040 pairs of socks. We partnered with Commander [Rex] Stalnaker at the VFW, and those were released to him. Every chance he could, he would stop by and get what we collected, especially before the Christmas season started, so he could get those in the hands of the veterans. I know they visited the VA hospital in Clarksburg and took some over there.”

The sock drive occurs every year from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 and Jenkins said they plan to keep up the tradition in 2023.

“We just had so much support, especially from our veterans, it was just amazing to be part of this campaign,” Jenkins said. “We’re just grateful for all the support the community gives us, no matter what we’re doing. Last year we raised 2,300 pairs of socks, but I think 1,040 is better than nothing, and although we didn’t match our goal, I do believe everyone did what they could and it was still a great success.”

Buckhannon’s Shoe Sensation partnered with VFW Post 3663 for the first time and hopes to continue the partnership in the future.

“We were able to not only cover the hospital itself and those other places like the long-term care facility and the Homeless Coalition that partners with the veterans, but we were able to give a lot back to our hometown because the VFW held several open houses at their facility, where veterans could come in and get the socks,” Jenkins said. “We felt partnering with the VFW was a wonderful thing, because they also reached our Buckhannon veterans, and we would definitely like to partner with the VFW next year so we can get local distribution and extend our distribution to the hospitals they travel to.”

Jenkins thanked everyone for making donations at their store and for their continued support of the Socks for Troops drive.

“We have a great community here — we have a loving, supportive community,” Jenkins said. “We’re able to do so much through this small little store because we have such good resources with the people in the community who are very passionate about what we’re trying to achieve.”