Adventist Health Ukiah Valley and Bombas Socks distribute over 3,500 pairs of socks to local organizations
March 2019 (Ukiah, CA) – Adventist Health Ukiah Valley (AHUV) Street Medicine program continues its partnership with Bombas Socks to distribute specially designed socks to homeless and at-risk populations. This is the second delivery to Mendocino County which included over 3,500 pairs of socks ranging in size from youth to adult.
The Ukiah Valley Street Medicine (UVSM) team has partnered with several nonprofit organizations serving at-risk populations throughout Mendocino County for distribution. “In Mendocino County we identified 1,063 homeless children last year. We work with families living in cars, campgrounds, and hotel rooms. Our homeless children oftentimes walk to school without appropriate shoes and have soaking wet socks,” explains MCOE Foster and Homeless Youth Services Coordinator, Blythe Post. “The gift of the Bombas socks allows us to provide more than just one pair of socks, but at least a few to each child. The feedback from families has been that they are so wonderfully grateful for the sturdy, warm, great quality socks that last the whole school year. We pack 3 pairs to the new families identified, and those who need them throughout the school year. We are so grateful to partner with the hospital for this amazing gift. It also has made a huge impact on our ability to utilize our limited funding on other items for the families.”
The partnership with Bombas socks has resulted in a total of over 4,500 pairs of new socks delivered to Mendocino County through the Ukiah Valley Street Medicine program in the past year. Bombas Socks donates a specially designed pair of socks for every pair purchased. These donated socks are created specifically to meet the needs of people who don’t have the luxury of putting on a clean pair of socks. They are made with anti-microbial treated fabric which requires less washing and is made with reinforced seams and darker colors. From this last donation the Street Medicine team has collected over 700 pairs for distribution through the Street Medicine team, 600 to the Redwood Community Services Homeless Services Community Center, 735 to the Mendocino County Office of Education Child Development & Youth Integrated Services Program, 500 distributed through the Nor Cal Christian Ministries program, 225 through the Mendocino County Aids and Viral Hepatitis Network (MCAVHN), 500 to clients of Manzanita Services, 250 to Project Sanctuary and 225 to the AHUV Compass Care Management team.
“Having access to these specially designed socks may seem like a small thing, but they can literally be a lifesaver for those who don’t have consistent access to washing facilities or dry storage. We know that many health conditions arise from prolonged exposure related to our feet. It’s grassroots programs such as the Street Medicine Program and our community partners that help us identify these strategies for increasing wellness in our most vulnerable populations. With this Bombas Socks partnership, we are able provide a basic necessity to our community in this time of need,” shares Adventist Health Ukiah Valley President, Jason Wells
If you would like to learn more about Bombas Socks, including where to purchase a pair, please visit their website at www.bombas.com. For information on the Adventist Health Ukiah Valley Street Medicine Program, please call 707.463.7418 or email soiniljv@ah.org
Photo (left to right): Bombas socks recipients Tony Huerta with NorCal Ministries and Brady Nord of Mendocino County Office of Education
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Adventist Health Ukiah Valley is part of Adventist Health, a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 80 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care agencies, hospice agencies and joint-venture retirement centers in both rural and urban communities. Our compassionate and talented team of 35,000 includes associates, medical staff physicians, allied health professionals and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope. Together, we are transforming the American healthcare experience with an innovative, yet timeless, whole-person focus on physical, mental, spiritual and social healing.