“Sock it to a Vet Day” a Rousing Success in North Belle Vernon

Last Updated on Monday, 30 November 2015 18:36

By Jill Brown

The Good ‘Ol Days House, 914 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, really “knocked the socks off” of their campaign to collect new socks for veterans to be donated to the Veterans Hospital in Oakland.

Melanie Stringhill Patterson, founder of “Sock it to a Vet Day,” poses beside her “sock-holder stand.”

The collection took place on Veterans Day from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and was organized by Melanie Stringhill Patterson and her mom. Visitors were treated to free coffee and cake, fried bologna sandwiches for lunch and Stringhill’s pizza at night. By noon, they had already received about 200 pairs of socks. Interestingly enough, the grand total of pairs of socks collected on Veterans Day, 11/11, was 1,111.

The house, owned by Patterson, is a former home of 5 WWII vets: Patterson’s dad and her four uncles. This was her grandparents’ house for over 60 years, and she bought it from a cousin. Someone from the family has always lived there, “a fun, warm, comfy place to hang,” she says.

Patterson says she came up with the idea recently after reading an article about the need for socks by vets at shelters and hospitals. She says, “You take for granted that a pair of socks is something people have a whole bunch of.”

Special thanks go to the following North Belle Vernon business owners, who also have taken pride in donating socks: Vintage & Vines, Darla Suz Boutique, Bee Graphix, Broad Avenue Treasures, and Antiques on Broad.

Another event is to be held geared toward veterans in February 2016, whereas people will visit the house and write letters to vets on Valentine’s Day. This will be called “Sock Hop.”

Patterson’s dad, Sam Stringhill, who served in the U.S. Army, passed away 18 years ago. He would have been proud of his daughter. Patterson said, regarding the success of the event, “I am so proud and touched, and it is wonderful to see the kindness and generosity of the people in our Valley.”

For more information about The Good ‘Ol Days House, go to www.NostalgicGuesthouse.com or call 724-331-3654.