Sock collection to benefit local charity Ottawa County Sheriff's Office will be collecting new socks to benefit Hannah's Socks

This holiday season, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is following the example of one little girl's simple act of kindness that has allowed thousands of homeless, domestic violence victims and underprivileged children to receive basic necessities, like socks and underwear.

At the age of four, Hannah Turner and her family were serving Thanksgiving dinner at Cherry Street Mission Ministries in Toledo. There, Hannah saw a man whose shoes had split open, revealing he wasn't wearing socks. Although her mother, Doris, reassured her the man's shoes would keep his feet warm, Hannah wasn't convinced and told her, "Mommy, he can have my socks." The next day, Doris took Hannah to purchase and distribute 100 pairs of socks to local shelters.

Over the next two years, and with amazing support from friends and family, they distributed nearly 10,000 pairs of socks to partner shelters.

"When I heard about Hannah and her story, I was inspired by her compassion and generosity. A child so young, who could recognize a need that is so great, just amazed me," said Traci Johnson, deputy, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office. "That is why starting this sock drive seemed so important. At a time like this, when so many people need help and the cold nights are quickly approaching, a sock collection just made sense."

The sock collection runs through Monday, Dec. 21, in the Port Clinton and Oak Harbor areas. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office will deliver donations to Hannah's Socks on Wednesday, Dec. 23, just in time for Christmas.

New socks and undergarments can be dropped off at the following locations:

* Port Clinton -- Verizon Store at Harbor Lights Landing, Bell Mell Tavern, 2nd Street Diner, Lagoon Saloon, Greens Pharmacy, U.S. Post Office on 2nd Street, The National Bank of Oak Harbor (Port Clinton office), Danbury Senior Center and Port Clinton City Hall.

* Oak Harbor -- 20th Century Lanes (bowling alley), IGA Grocery Store, St. Paul United Church of Christ, The Cure, Oak Harbor Hardware and The National Bank of Oak Harbor (Oak Harbor office).

If you can't make it to one of these locations or have questions, please call Traci Johnson at 419-734-6995. For more information about Hannah's Socks, visit www.hannahssocks.org.

About Hannah's Socks

Hannah's Socks serves homeless and domestic-violence shelters in the Midwest, with offices in Toledo and Cincinnati. Hannah's Socks collects donated materials in the form of new men's, women's and children's socks and undergarments, then leverages partnerships with local shelters for distribution to both the homeless and to victims of domestic violence. In addition, it supports programs serving under-privileged children. For more information, visit www.hannahssocks.org.