Heaps and heaps of pancakes were served up at Socktober Saturday, a community pancake breakfast that kicked off the Chapman Family Homecoming Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 7. But the truly special bounty came in the form of socks – thousands of socks.

Admission to the free breakfast co-sponsored by Ayres Hotels was a package of socks or underwear to benefit the families at HomeAid Family Care Center, operated by Mercy Housing Living Centers, in the City of Orange. Thanks to campus and community response, the challenge netted 10,000 items, including personal toiletries and blankets. Also donated were 1,500 Power Crunch Bars and 1,500 packets of Ecos Laundry Detergent, whose CEO and president is alumna Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks.

“We are truly grateful for everyone who participated and donated to Socktober. Something so simple as a new pair of socks will go a very long way to the homeless families that we are serving right here in Orange,” said Irene Drissen, Mercy House’s development manager.