Planning on attending an Edmonton Oil Kings game this month? You might want to consider packing an extra pair of socks.
Marking the start of their Socktober campaign at Rogers Place, the team aims to collect socks for seniors who need them to keep warm during the harsh Edmonton winter. Imagine facing the grueling chill of Edmonton’s winter season without socks, a disheartening reality that Jeff Radomski, Oil Kings director of business operations, believes no one should be subjected to.
Regrettably, Radomski noted that this cold truth encapsulates the lives of many within their community—a reality that the Oil Kings have pledged themselves to change. Leveraging their knack for connecting staunch supporters both on and off the ice, the Oil Kings strive to inspire fans to join them in their mission to alleviate the needs of their local community.
Structured by the Operation Friendship Seniors Society (OFSS), a charitable institution dedicated to assisting the needy seniors, the Socktober initiative encourages fans to donate socks during the October games. The Oil Kings aim to gather a staggering 10,000 pairs of socks by month’s end.
To Jimmy Morrison, the OFSS community relations manager, a pair of socks extends more than physical warmth—it serves as a beacon of hope, an indication that someone out there cares. “Warm toes, warm hearts,” Morrison perfectly summarised the initiative’s essence.
Fans who make a donation will receive a special reward—two tickets to the Edmonton Oil Kings United Against Cancer game scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28 where they will go up against the Portland Winterhawks.
This commitment to their community extends well beyond the Socktober campaign, with the Oil Kings slated to contend with the Red Deer Rebels at 4 p.m. on Sunday. For the Oil Kings, every event is an opportunity to make a difference, displaying the heart of the team beyond their prowess on the ice.
