Student-athlete leads UPEI Athletics and Recreation’s "Share a Pair" sock drive

UPEI Athletics and Recreation is proud to announce the launch of the "Share a Pair" Sock Drive, a community-focused initiative spearheaded by Juliette Bader, a third-year student-athlete on the UPEI Women's Soccer Panthers team. Designed to collect new and gently used socks for local shelters and community organizations across Charlottetown, the drive leverages the energy of UPEI home games to make a meaningful local impact.

“Socks are one of the most frequently requested yet under-donated items for those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity,” said Bader. “When visiting several shelters in the area, I heard that socks were one of the main reoccurring items that arose as necessities, especially when the weather gets colder.”

In support of this community need, Bader helped conceptualize the campaign to bring together UPEI varsity teams, students, staff, and Panther fans. By utilizing UPEI home games throughout the season, she aims to provide an easy, accessible way for the campus and broader Charlottetown community to give back.

“The main idea of ‘Share a Pair’ is to find a meaningful and accessible way to help the community and remind people that a simple gesture or item can make a positive impact on someone's life,” said Bader. “UPEI Athletics and Recreation has always been an advocate for initiatives that support the community, and this is no different.”

Jane Vessey, UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director praised Bader for taking the lead on the campaign. 

“Juliette’s initiative perfectly embodies the leadership and spirit of community support that we strive to foster in all our UPEI student-athletes,” said Vessey. “By leveraging our home games to address an essential local need, she is showing how sport can bring people together to make a real, meaningful impact beyond the field, rink or court.”

Participating UPEI varsity teams will host sock collection points at selected home games during the season. Clearly marked donation bins will be located near the main entrance at participating games, and spectators and fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used pairs or single socks to donate upon arrival. 

As the student-athlete leading the project, Bader and her fellow student-athletes are taking an active role in promoting and running the drive by sharing information across social media, campus posters, and game-day announcements, as well as helping collect and organize all incoming donations. Involving multiple varsity teams across various sports ensures the initiative reaches fans across the entire athletic spectrum while reinforcing their commitment to leadership beyond sport.

"We are looking for new, gently used and mismatched socks,” said Bader. “If the dryer steals one of your socks, this is a chance to donate the remaining sock to a good cause! Growing up, my family always had a box of mismatched socks. This is the chance to donate those single or box of socks to a good cause!”

The sock drive has earned strong support from community organizations that work directly with vulnerable Islanders. Michael Redmond, Executive Director of The Equality Project Inc., said the initiative demonstrates the positive impact student-athletes can have beyond the playing field.

“It is fantastic to see young student-athletes step up in a big way to help support our community's most vulnerable. The Equality Project Inc. and our community partners across PEI are very happy to support UPEI Athletics in their efforts,” he said.

Those who donate will have their names entered into a draw for a UPEI sweatshirt. Draws will take place each Sunday throughout the campaign which kicks-off on Friday, October 30. On that day, the UPEI Women’s and Men’s Basketball Panthers play at 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm respectively at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, and the UPEI Men’s Hockey Panthers play at 7:00 pm at MacLauchlan Arena.

For game schedules, donation locations, and updates on participating varsity teams, follow UPEI Athletics and Recreation on Instagram or visit the official Go Panthers Go website.