Community entities step up to “Sock It To Me” for firefighters

BID, DATO, Chamber, DMR, Concert Hall and local merchants encourage purchase of SOCKS

Durango, CO – As dry weather persists and wildfires continue to dot the region, Durango entities are partnering to “Sock It To Me” – an effort to support local and regional firefighters with donations of, literally, socks. The campaign will kick-off Monday, July 15, 2013.

The Durango Business Improvement District (BID), Durango Chamber of Commerce, Durango Mountain Resort (DMR), the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College and Durango Area Tourism Office (DATO) have embraced the grassroots effort initiated in 2012 by Durango community member Elaine Ehlers on behalf of her firefighter son Ryan Ehlers, to support his fellow men and women with something all those in the trenches need on a daily basis: high quality socks.

“In times of stress and crisis, there’s not much we, as individual citizens, can do to help those on the front lines – but we all want to do something,” said Tim Walsworth, BID executive director. “That’s where Elaine was last year during our fire season and her son suggested the idea. It’s so simple, and it’s something we can all do. Go buy a pair of socks.”

Specifically, firefighters need new, high quality, over-the-calf socks. Preferred brands are Fits, Smartwool, Thorlo and Keen. All donated socks will be given to the Durango Fire & Rescue Authority for distribution.

“We are thrilled to learn of this community effort,” said Chief Dan Noonan. “Our firefighters are doing what they’re trained and prepared to do to protect our communities, and they’re not asking for anything. But efforts like this, I can assure you, will be greatly appreciated by all firefighters.”

In summer 2012, the grassroots campaign organized by Ehlers yielded more than 1,000 pairs of high quality socks for the wildland firefighters. Ryan Ehlers, who is a former hotshot and smokejumper, and now runs the wildfire program for Durango Fire and Rescue, distributed the much coveted items with his team, and, according to Elaine Ehlers, “they felt like Santa Claus” visiting their fellow firefighters.

As of July 15, boxes for sock collection will be set at the Durango Welcome Center (8th St. and Main in Downtown Durango), the Durango Chamber of Commerce (Santa Rita Park) and Durango Mountain Resort (Purgatory Sports), and Alpine Bank Durango, as well as at participating outdoor shoe and sporting goods stores in Durango.

“We’re working with local merchants who carry these quality socks, and many are offering various discounts for community members who make a purchase for the firefighters,” said Pam Glasco, BID community relations coordinator. “We will have more information on our web site, www.downtowndurango.org, as the program continues.”

Additionally, socks will be collected at the Community Concert Hall’s Concerts in the Park series, Thursdays, July 18, 25 and Aug. 1, 5 to 7:30 p.m. in Buckley Park. The July 18 show features the band Stafford, which hails from Arizona near where the 19 wildland firefighters were recently killed.

“Sock It To Me” will run through August 15. For further information, contact the BID at 970.375.5067.