Dr. Kimberly Burgis (left) and Captain Jennifer Robins (right) with the 190 pairs of socks raised by Schulte, Siwak, and Burgis Chiropractor clinic in Melfort. (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

Toasty Toes

Melfort and Tisdale donate over 400 pairs of socks for Toasty Toes campaign

Nov 24, 2019 | 2:03 PM

Residents in Melfort and Tisdale felt the holiday spirit early by donating 415 pairs of socks to the Salvation Army.

The Toasty Toes campaign, a partnership between the Salvation Army and Chiropractic Association of Saskatchewan, is in its fourth year in the province. Its objective is to collect socks or cash that can be put towards other necessary winter items for Christmas hampers.

Dr. Kimberly Burgis from Schulte, Siwak, and Burgis Chiropractors has been participating in Toasty Toes since it came to Saskatchewan in 2016. She was excited to see the final number of 415 pairs of socks between Melfort and Tisdale.

“Our totals out of the northeast have increased just slightly over the years but it’s been excellent support right from the start,” Burgis told northeastNOW. “Everyone’s gotten behind this program that’s kind of easy and fun at the same time but can make such a difference to the people it’s going towards.”

Captain Jennifer Robins from the Melfort and Tisdale Salvation Army said the socks will be distributed to homeless people, seniors, and families in need. She learned how important socks can be during the holiday season through other people’s experiences.

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“I remember one time we were talking to some different homeless people in other cities and asking what the most important thing would be anybody could give them,” Robins said. “One gentleman I was talking to said a nice, new, warm pair of socks. We were surprised by that at first. Maybe we thought it would be a hot meal or something else, but when you think about it, it does make a difference for your comfort.”

Robins agreed with Burgis the number of socks coming from northeast residents have been steady throughout the years. She hopes as Toasty Toes gains more recognition throughout the year support will continue to grow.

Burgis and the Melfort clinic brought in 190 pairs of socks during the month-long campaign, which was 35 short of the Healthplex in Tisdale during their “friendly rivalry.”

“It’s a good cause,” she laughed. “We have a lot of support with the Healthplex, being that the five clinics are under one roof, so we seem to have all of their support in trying to build up the numbers. Over 400 pairs is pretty exciting.”

The final provincial number of pairs of socks donated is expected to be announced in the upcoming days, but Burgis said 15,000 pairs were donated in 2018.

Robins said anyone who couldn’t partake in Toasty Toes can still donate socks or other winter items to Salvation Army locations in Melfort, Nipawin, and Tisdale.

The Salvation Army’s next big holiday campaign is the kettle campaign beginning on Monday, Nov. 25.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow