The Rhode Island Podiatric Medical Association (RIPMA) kicked off their “Socks for the Needy” campaign this week as part of their 100th anniversary as a medical association.

“Socks for the Needy” will run through May 30. The aim of the campaign is to collect new socks for needy children and adults. There are collection bins at YMCAs throughout Rhode Island and at podiatrist’s offices.

“Podiatrists have long recognized the high incidence of foot conditions among the needy and homeless as their feet are often wet and they lack dry clean socks to wear.” said Dr. David Ruggiero, president of the RIPMA. Dr. Ruggiero said, “Our association thought a community outreach campaign like this was the perfect fit for podiatrists as we enter our anniversary year, providing foot health for Rhode Islanders for over 100 years. We give particular thanks to the YMCAs in Rhode Island, the Salvation Army and the Pawtucket Red Sox for participating as partners in our community service project.”

Major Wendy Kountz, RI State coordinator for the Salvation Army, said, “We identified socks as a major clothing need for our constituents. So we are delighted to serve as the distribution partner for the RI Podiatric Medical Association’s Socks for the Needy campaign.”

Those who donate a pair of new socks at their Y can enter to win one of 10 family packs of tickets (five tickets) and vouchers for food at the culmination PawSox baseball game on June 12 “Sox for the Needy” night. Entry forms and an entry box are attached to the sock collection bin in YMCA lobbies. Additionally, anyone who attends the PawSox game on June 12 and donates a pair of new socks when they enter will receive a chance to win a baseball autographed by the PawSox team that will be raffled off at the game.

Dr. Charles Cavicchio, executive director of the RIPMA, said, “We are collecting socks at all Ys and on Saturday, April 26 [Healthy Kids Day at the Y] we plan to conduct free foot screenings at the Pawtucket, Lincoln, Bayside [Barrington] and Kent County [Warwick] YMCAs. Paws, the PawSox mascot, is expected to attend some of the screenings. And, on May 10 we plan to have free foot screenings at the Cranston, East Side and the South County YMCAs. The screenings are tentatively scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 12 to 2:00 p.m.”

“This is the first in a series of activities for our 100th anniversary. We plan to issue foot health briefs and tips throughout April and May as part of National Foot Health Month and our centennial celebration. We will also be honoring a member from the community and a podiatrist who have gone above and beyond to support foot health in Rhode Island at our annual conference in Newport, R.I. in May,” said Dr. Cavicchio.

The Rhode Island Podiatric Medical Association is a non-profit organization that promotes the art and science of podiatric medicine and surgery among the general public and persons interested in the betterment of public health. Foot health information and a podiatrist locator can be found on their website at www.rifootdoctors.com or you can call for information at 941-1142. The RIPMA is affiliated with the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).