JEANERETTE, La. — On Monday, many people will have a day off to honor the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
King was known for his eloquence, and one of his best-known quotes is: “Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?”
To honor that, and him, the holiday has been designated as a National Day of Service. It's the only federal holiday designated as such, which encourages all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
A group in Jeanerette is marking that day by collecting socks for unsheltered, transient and displaced individuals, families and homeless veterans. In the Acadiana area, the Acadiana Regional Coalition on Homelessness reported an 82% increase in homelessness due to Covid-19 and a 55% increase for veterans.
In collaboration with the Presidential Inaugural Committee National Day of Service, citizens in Jeanerette are supporting the non-profit organization Sock’n It! “Care & Share A Pair” of new socks for folks who need them.
Socks are one of the top requested items in homeless shelters, says Laura Brown, National Volunteer Coordinator and Chief Sock Counter.
If you'd like to help, you can drop off pairs of new socks to the drive-thru receptacle at the corner of Martin Luther King Drive and Monnot Road in Jeanerette through Monday, January 19.
You also can make cash donations via the website here. To get more information, check out the website or the organization's Instagram here.
