ELIZABETHTOWN — The public spirit of giving and generosity has kicked in.

The Bladen Journal’s month-long effort to fill a large box with new pairs of socks followed a slow week with one that saw dozens of pairs tossed into the box by caring folks from Elizabethtown to Wilmington. The collection wlil benefit the homeless and needy in the region.

“Sock It To ‘Em,” the brainchild and platform of Anna Grace Allen, 14 — the current Miss Bladenboro Outstanding Teen who will compete in the N.C. Outstanding Teen Pagent in June — reached a mark of 83 pairs of socks as of Wednesday.

“Now we’re talking,” said W. Curt Vincent, general manager/editor of the Bladen Journal. “We knew it wouldn’t take long before the community began to contribute, and we can’t thank them enough. But we have a long way to go over the next two weeks.”

The “Sock It To ‘Em” effort at the Bladen Journal will last through Friday, April 29.

Allen, who volunteers at area homeless shelters and soup kitchens, was told that socks were the most-needed items for the homeless. At the end of the month, all of the socks will be given to Allen, who will deliver them to the Salvation Army so they can be distributed to the area’s homeless and needy.

Vincent said the project fits right in with what the Bladen Journal already does each fall.

“We already do a blanket and sleeping bag collection for the homeless and needy in the fall, and we thought helping Allen with collecting socks in the spring would fit perfectly,” he said. “The public has been so generous with our fall collection, and I have a feeling it will be in the spring as well.”

Vincent added that, in addition to individuals, he hopes the sock drive will spark church, school, business and community groups to participate.

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How you can help

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Throughout the month of April, the Bladen Journal will accept donations of new socks at its office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All sizes of socks are need, from children’s to adults.

Anyone with questions about the “Sock It To ‘Em” sock drive can call the Bladen Journal at 910-862-4163.

Also, Anna Grace is currently looking for monetary sponsorships for her journey to the Miss North Carolina Outstanding Teen Pageant in June. Anyone interested in contributing should call Teresa Allen at 910-977-1760.

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Staff report