NewmarketToday continues its annual tradition of marking the giving season by celebrating Newmarket's Community Angels — the people whose kindness, compassion and community spirit help make our town one of the best to live in the country.
Juliane McTavish-Goyette was swimming in sock donations this year as part of her annual efforts to provide them to those in need.
The Newmarket resident gathered 1,401 pairs of socks, the most she has got in her six years doing the holiday drive. She will donate the socks to holiday hampers and social service organizations to distribute, such as Inn From the Cold.
After getting to about 900 pairs last year, she said she was thrilled with how many donations came in this year.
“I’m so grateful and I’m actually speechless,” she said. “I didn’t think we would even get to 900, and then all of a sudden we’re over 1,400, which is unbelievable to me.”
The volunteer — who has garnered the moniker of “sock lady” — started gathering the socks six years ago for a high school project for her son to do something good in the community. They honed in on socks as something needed by lower-income residents. After gathering 230 socks in the first year, she decided to keep it going as an annual tradition in the holiday season.
“I feel so fortunate in my life, that I feel it’s important to give back. I feel that Newmarket, as a community, is a very giving community,” she said. “Just letting people know there are people out there that do care.”
The financial advisor has volunteered with the Newmarket Food Pantry, Inn From the Cold and 100 Women Who Care Central York. Her efforts earned her a 2020 Portraits of Giving Award for volunteer leadership.
She has continued updating about the initiative on social media, garnering acclaim.
“Our community always comes together to help out," one Facebook commenter said. "Thanks for doing this for those in need."
McTavish-Goyette said locals were especially eager to give back to their community this year due to the pandemic.
“It’s been such a tough two years,” she said. “I think people are just looking to do things, and something as simple as giving a pair of socks is an easy thing.”
She expressed her appreciation to everyone in the community who helped "warm the soles" of others.
“I am blessed to be surrounded by such generosity,” she said. “And to see how when we come together, we really can make an impact.”
