Germantown: Putting Some Heart into the Feet

With a brisk winter approaching, harsh weather is something that those living on the streets are dreading. And some time ago, local volunteer Tom Costello found out some interesting information while volunteering at an event in Germantown’s St. Vincent de Paul. Tom Costello, now founder of the Joy of Socks, was told by a podiatrist that the hardest part for the homeless to care for are their feet.
As most homeless depend on donated charity clothes to bundle up in, many have their feet exposed to the cold much more than any other. Socks-- coming in pairs-- are hard to also keep together. And with an estimated 4,000 homeless in Philadelphia-- that’s 8,000 feet-- it is much more of a challenge to keep their feet healthy.
Costello, a professor at the near-by Chestnut Hill College, has organized an event this Friday in which helpers will put together 774 socks, all of which were donated by a manufacturer of Alabama.
Project Housing, Opportunities for Employment, Medical Care, Education, also known as Project H.O.M.E, will be delivered the socks to distribute the socks to the homeless they’re working to serve. The organization in the community is to address the cycle of homelessness and focus on street outreach. While their main goal is to end homelessness, Project H.O.M.E is now taking part in the focus on their feet.
“Its getting cold, but I’m lucky to have shoes.” states Robert, a homeless man bundled in mismatched clothes and while resting Vernon park area. “ But I never have socks. I got these a while back, but I need some new ones. These are worn out!” As many like Robert may not be expecting a warmer winter ahead, they can start staying warmer by keeping their feet warmer. For more information on Project H.O.M.E, visit http://www.projecthome.org/ .


Team 10: Kali Wyrosdic and Maria Santilli