Yankees to launch “Socks for Soldiers” initiative
New cushion-soled socks for the combat boots of U.S. servicemen and servicewomen stationed overseas to be collected at Yankee Stadium prior to the final three home games of the regular season
The New York Yankees today announced the launch of Socks for Soldiers, an initiative that supports the organization’s Veterans Day project. Fans with tickets to the Yankees’ final three regular season home games vs. the Boston Red Sox from Monday, October 1 through Wednesday, October 3, are asked to bring new cushion-soled socks that can be worn in combat boots. The socks will be collected and sent to U.S. servicemen and servicewomen stationed overseas.
Over 70 collection boxes will be set up throughout Yankee Stadium, where fans can drop off the socks between the hours of 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. In-stadium collection boxes will be placed at the Yankees Main Lobby and Gate 2 entrance (both on 164th St. and Jerome Ave.), the Gate 4 suite and main entrances (161st St. and Jerome Ave.), the Great Hall (located between Gates 4 and 6 on 161st St.), the Hard Rock Cafe at Gate 6 (161st St. and River Ave.), and the Gate 8 entrance (164th St. and River Ave.).
Each pair of socks collected will be one component of care packages which will be assembled for military service members at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, November 8.
On Veterans Day 2011, more than 140 volunteers, including Yankees Manager Joe Girardi, gathered in Yankee Stadium’s Great Hall to assemble approximately 5,000 Big Apple Packs, which were distributed during the holiday season to deploying troops and those serving in Afghanistan.
Yankee Stadium’s care package event in 2011 was one of 11 civilian-military service projects which were held across the United States on Veterans Day. The events were intended to bring attention to civilian-military integration and highlight the importance of volunteerism and community service for our nation.