Stephanie Ogden and her Comptroller’s Office colleagues are warming hearts and feet this holiday season.

Ogden collected more than 100 new pairs of socks donated by her officemates for SOCKtober, a sock drive organized by Illinois State University’s Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) each October. In December, the socks were gifted to children who received presents through CCE’s Holiday Helper program.

“With cold weather and snow this time of year, I think about the kids who need socks to keep their feet warm,” said Ogden, an accountant at the University. “These socks can make a huge impact.”

Ogden’s office-wide contribution to SOCKtober started in 2023 when she asked colleagues to bring socks instead of treats to celebrate her birthday.

“In our office, we are always so good about bringing in food for each other’s birthdays,” Ogden said. “But I had a milestone birthday and wanted to do something a little different to give back. I happened to get an email about the SOCKtober drive, which is during my birthday month, and I thought, ‘This is perfect.’”

Ogden placed a laundry basket by her desk, which was quickly filled with pairs of donated socks. In 2023, Ogden collected about 50 pairs. That amount doubled in 2024.

“It’s fun to see all the different kinds of socks that come in,” Ogden said. “Now it’s a tradition for our office, and it’s something that I will continue to do and look forward to. It was amazing to see how many people donated this year and all the different colors and sizes of socks.”

Ruth Wiesner, an accounting specialist, said she now collects socks year-round in anticipation of Ogden’s SOCKtober-birthday drive.

“I buy them when I find them on clearance and keep them in a bag,” Wiesner said. “It’s important that those of us who have too much give to those who don’t.”

Wiesner also coordinates her office’s sponsorship of children in the Holiday Helper program, which provides wrapped gifts each year to families in the local community.

“We get a list of their wants and their needs and, as an office, we try to meet everything on their list and more,” Wiesner said.

Their donations this year included five bed sets, clothes, hygiene products, and toys, such as Legos, dinosaurs, and drawing sets.

“Giving is contagious,” said Accountant Joyce Tucker. “Once you start giving, you want to do it again. It feels good, and it’s infectious in our office.”

Afiwa TETE, CCE’s assistant director of cocurricular programs, said the Comptroller’s Office consistently “goes above and beyond,” from donating items to helping wrap gifts.

“I was delighted to hear about how Stephanie mobilized her office to contribute to SOCKtober,” TETE said. “It is inspiring to see how Stephanie and her colleagues came together to make a Redbird impact on the Holiday Helper program, and I believe it can serve as a blueprint of service to many other units on campus.”

In 2024, CCE collected 4,152 pairs of socks during SOCKtober and provided Holiday Helper gifts for 261 children.

Ogden said she’s thankful for colleagues who make her birthday and the holiday season extra special through their generosity.

“Holidays are about the kids,” Ogden said. “With Holiday Helper, it’s fun to shop for a child so they can experience the holiday they deserve.”