During the month of May, the Illawarra/South Coast community was asked to donate a new pair of socks or jocks for the homeless ahead of winter's arrival.
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The region has responded in kind, with more than 3500 items collected this year.
Kiama resident Grace Rey founded the 'Socks n Jocks - wear in this together' initiative in 2018.
Ms Rey launched the campaign in the Shoalhaven, and expanded it to include the Illawarra in 2019.
The charity drive didn't take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said the campaign had grown "exponentially" this year, and the charity drive had enjoyed "tremendous reach" across the region.
"For the first time I have have had organisations contact me wanting to get involved and have a collection point internally," she said.
"We have also had interest from schools wanting to get involved this year, with tremendous contributions of socks and jocks.
"Nowra Anglican College alone contributed over 1000 items. Bulli Public and Tomerong Primary collected around 300 each.
"All in all, we have collected over 3500 items this year, which is 1500 more than 2019."
Ms Rey said this was a "terrific effort" and thanked the public's generosity and spirit.
"Next year I am going to need volunteers as it's now too big for me to manage," she told the Mercury.
The socks and jocks have been distributed to the Homeless Hubs in Wollongong and the Shoalhaven.
"We are grateful for the kind donation of socks and jocks this winter, along with all the community donations this winter," Mandy Booker, chief executive officer of the Wollongong Homeless Hub said this week.
Ms Rey said spreading dignity and warmth were key aims of the campaign, as well as helping those who are most vulnerable to the extremes of the winter months.
"Each year the aim is to bring local business and community together in support of those who for reasons far beyond their control are homeless and who experience the razor's edge of winter," she said.
If you can help with the campaign next year, please phone 0431 062 618.
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