Oil Kings giving away tickets to February game in exchange for new socks

Packages of men's socks are piled on the ground. (File image.) (Evan Klippenstein / CTV News Edmonton)

Socks are being collected for seniors in need by the Oil Kings and Operation Friendship Seniors Society (OFSS), who’ve dubbed the month’s initiative “Sockuary.”

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Oil Kings fans who bring new pairs of socks to Friday and Sunday’s home games against Moose Jaw and Lethbridge, respectively, will receive a voucher for two tickets to the team mascot’s birthday party on Feb. 8, when the Oil Kings again face off against Moose Jaw.

According to OFSS, socks are among the most needed items, yet often overlooked as a necessity.

“We get a cold snap of -30 C with high wind and snow and you’re going to see those numbers double and triple as to how many seniors come in,” spokesperson Jimmy Morrison told reporters at an event launch on Wednesday. “And seniors are a lost demographic when it comes to the inner city downtown core. Everyone wants to help families and kids, but they don’t see a lot of the seniors that have paved the way for the younger generation but also really need the help because they have fallen on hard times.”

“I can’t imagine not having a pair of socks and being out in the elements right now,” added Kevin Radomski, the Oil Kings' director of business operations. “So we’re hoping our fans will hear the call.”

The team hopes to collect 1,000 pairs over the weekend.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Klippenstein