Thousands of Vermont youngsters in need will be able to enjoy warm, high-quality socks again this winter, the seventh year that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, Cabot Hosiery Mills/Darn Tough Vermont, and the state’s community action agencies and homeless shelters have joined forces to improve the health and comfort of Vermont children.
“Blue Socks for Kids”project volunteers will deliver 8,400 pairs of premium, Vermont-made merino wool socks to the state’s community action agencies and homeless shelters for distribution to children in need of warm clothing this holiday season.
Left to right: Ric Cabot, Governor Peter Shumlin, Don George, and Hal Cohen
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, through its charitable foundation, the Vermont Caring Foundation, provided $21,000 to finance 8,400 pairs of the wool socks made specifically for“Blue Socks for Kids”by Cabot Hosiery Mills of Northfield, Vermont, the state’s (and Northeast’s) only sock manufacturer.
“Blue Socks for Kids”has now distributed nearly 65,000 pairs of socks at a cost of nearly $175,000 over the seven years the project has operated. The funding through the Vermont Caring Foundation uses non-premium sources to generate funds to benefit Vermont children.
“Every year we receive heartwarming notes of thanks from children who have received their socks,” noted Don George, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont’s President and CEO. “Their notes reinforce for us just how much the socks are needed and the positive impact our program has had on many Vermont kids’ health and comfort.”
Research from Canada and the United States indicates that warm underclothing is high on the list of needs among the low income and homeless living in cold climates. An Oregon summit on the needs of low income folks and the homeless in winter came up with two priorities – socks and healthcare.
“Everyone deserves access to warm, high-quality socks during the winter,” added Ric Cabot, owner of Cabot Hosiery Mills and Darn Tough Vermont. “As a company that’s been a part of the Vermont community for over 30 years, the Blue Socks for Kids program is a great way to thank the community for all its support and to help give back. It brings us a lot of joy and satisfaction to help Vermont’s children.”
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state’s oldest and largest private health insurer, providing coverage for more than 240,000 Vermonters. It employs over 370 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin and branch office in South Burlington, and offers group and individual health plans to Vermonters. More information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available on the internet atwww.bcbsvt.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
About Cabot Hosiery Mills, Inc. and Darn Tough Vermont
Cabot Hosiery Mills, Incis a Northfield, Vermont-based sock manufacturer that makes socks for a broad range of private-label customers including J. Crew and L.L. Bean. In 2004, the Cabot family formed the premium, performance brand Darn Tough Vermont under the direction of third-generation sock maker Ric Cabot. Darn Tough Vermont’s Specialty line offers footwear in six active wear categories: ski/ride, hike/trek, run/bike, lifestyle, hunt and kid’s styles – all of which carry the industry’s only unconditional lifetime guarantee.
Photo Caption: Don George, President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, Governor Peter Shumlin, Ric Cabot of Cabot Hosiery Mills, and Hal Cohen of Capstone Community Action kick-off the 2014 Blue Socks for Kids project. (Left to right: Ric Cabot, Governor Peter Shumlin, Don George, and Hal Cohen).