In the weeks leading up to World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, Cindy Wimsatt became quite popular around Owensboro by selling colorful mismatched socks in an effort to unite the community and celebrate the unique differences of others for “Rock Your Socks” Day. Wimsatt’s inspiration lies in her 4-year-old daughter, Anna Sue, who has Down Syndrome and one of the most magnetic personalities a child could possess, according to her Highland Elementary School family.
Wimsatt sold Pals socks for $12 a pair for adults and $9 for children, on social media and throughout the community leading up to Rock Your Socks Day. She said, thanks in great part to her Facebook friends who sponsored Anna Sue’s preschool class, as well as the teachers and aides, she sold $1,800 worth of socks.
While 50 percent of that (minus shipping) goes back to Pals socks, the other 50 percent will go directly to the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN). Although World Down Syndrome Day and Rock Your Socks have come to an end, Wimsatt is not stopping there.
“To see the fun our community had with Rock Your Socks,” Wimsatt said. “I thought, ‘How can we keep this going?’ Keep the fun and keep the message — for any child with any differences. I wanted to keep our kids and our community unified.”
Now that crazy sock day is over, Wimsatt is on to sneakers — used ones. She took to Facebook Saturday inviting people to clean out their closets and donate used shoes and sneakers.
“I’m hosting a used-sneaker-collection fundraising drive for a charity that’s near to my heart, and it’s a win-win-win,” Wimsatt said. “I’m collecting old sneakers in ANY condition — stinky, worn, holes, or gently used. For every pair I collect, I raise $1 for the charity, Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network (DSDN).”
Wimsatt said for every pair she collects that is still wearable, DSDN will give her $1, and she will receive 10 cents for each one that requires recycling.
While Wimsatt is a parent board member on GRADSA, she said DSDN has been a resource GRADSA could provide when a parent received a pre-birth diagnosis of Down Syndrome and has helped parents with each other to “start forming a tribe.”
“DSDN has been my go-to resource for almost everything,” Wimsatt said. “It has totally opened my world and opened my confidence in being an advocate, a mother and helped me get involved with awareness.”
Wimsatt will be attending the DSDN conference in Nashville this September along with 800 other mothers of children with Down Syndrome. She said the Network allows and encourages fundraising toward registration fees and offered several options.
Wimsatt was drawn to the “Got Sneakers” fundraiser, as it stayed in the spirit of fun and, she said, much of what she needed was provided.
“They already sent me five bags to fill, and prepaid stickers,” Wimsatt said. “So I just call UPS to pick it up, forward the check to DSDN and we’re done.”
The current goal Wimsatt is hoping for is 500 pairs of shoes, but if the community support is anything like it was with crazy socks, she thinks that might be shooting a little low.
“I put the goal out there (500 shoes),” Wimsatt said, then joking, “I’m just wondering if I need to rent a UPS truck.”
After the experiences she has had with both of these fundraisers this year, Wimsatt hopes to do both through GRADSA in the future.
For those wanting to donate used sneakers, Wimsatt said they can be put in a bag and dropped off at Maurice Pools and Spas 1431 Bosley Rd. or arrange a pick up by sending a Facebook message or an email at [email protected]
