Vermont Business MagazineFor the eighth year, thousands of Vermont youngsters in need will be able to enjoy warm, high-quality socks again this winter. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont’s “Blue Socks for Kids” project volunteers delivered 8,400 pairs of premium, Vermont-made merino wool socks to the state’s community action agencies and homeless shelters in December for distribution to children in need of warm clothing just before the holiday season.Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, Cabot Hosiery Mills/Darn Tough Vermont, and the state’s community action agencies and homeless shelters again joined forces to improve the health and comfort of Vermont children. 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, the state’s (and Northeast’s) only sock manufacturer.
Ric Cabot, left, and Don George listen last December to Governor Shumlin during the annual "Blue socks for Kids" announcement. Courtesy photo.
“Blue Socks for Kids” has now distributed over 73,000 pairs of socks at a cost of nearly $200,000 over the eight 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 childrens’ 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.
“For nearly 40 years Cabot Hosiery Mills has proudly called Vermont home, with the Darn Tough brand also having been established over a decade ago in the beautiful Green Mountain state. With this honor comes a responsibility to take care of its residents, especially those who cannot afford necessities such as quality socks for colder months,” added Ric Cabot, Darn Tough president and CEO. “The Blue Socks for Kids program is an amazing way for Darn Tough to give back to the community that continues to support us. We view it as a privilege to bring comfort and joy to our youngest fans this holiday season."
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state’s oldest and largest health insurer, providing coverage for about 250,000 Vermonters. It employs about 400 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin and its Information and Wellness Center in South Burlington’s Blue Mall, and offers group and individual health plans to Vermonters. More information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available on the Internet at www.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 Darn Tough Vermont:
Darn Tough Vermont is an American manufacturer of premium, all-weather outdoor and lifestyle socks with headquarters in Northfield, Vermont. The company offers both Specialty and Tactical product lines. Darn Tough Vermont’s Specialty Collection includes performance socks in six active wear categories including Ski/Ride, Hike/Trek, Run/Bike, Lifestyle, Hunt, Work as well as Junior styles – all of which carry the industry’s only unconditional lifetime guarantee.
Source:Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont 12.2015