Socktober: Remembering those who've passed while helping those in need

With winter approaching, one organization is gathering socks to help people in need while remembering those lost. 

"Socktober is sort of like a fundraiser that we do," says Arlene Last-Kolb, one of the founders of Manitoba Overdose Awareness. "We are collecting socks for the whole month of October."

The organization's goal was to collect 1,291 pairs of socks in the month and they've already reached it. 

"The number represents the overdose losses from January 2016 to April 2021. These socks actually represent people," says Last-Kolb. 

People interested in donating socks can still drop them off until the end of the month at five Winnipeg locations and three rural Manitoba locations. Overdose Awareness Manitoba have posted the locations on their Facebook page. The socks collected will be split between Siloam Mission and The Bear Clan.

"One of our mothers in St. James put a display on her fence and put up cut-out socks. She lost two children and joined our group and just wants to be a part of bringing awareness."

Last-Kolb lost a son to an overdose and that is why she volunteers with the organization. 

"Probably one of the biggest things we have going against us is stigma. One of the reasons we started this group was not only to provide support but put a face to all the numbers. These are people and we want to make sure that people don't forget that."

Since the pandemic hit, the number of people struggling with addictions went way up. According to the group, 2020 was the worst year for overdoses in Manitoba’s history with 372 loved ones gone too soon.

"To get through my grief, I had to do something. Part of having the group is the hope of sharing to give back. Our loved ones may be out of sight but they're still heavy on our minds. Giving back helps us with our own grief. To have hope, you have to give back," says Last-Kolb.