Silly Socks Saturdays Enjoys Successful Event

Supporters of Silly Socks Saturdays filled Cypress Lanes on July 27 for a fun day of bowling to raise funds to help make hospital visits better for area children and teens.

High school junior Zachary Kirkland thanked participants, sponsors and raffle prize donors for helping give his organization more resources to do the work he started while in middle school. Through his Silly Sock Saturdays nonprofit, Zachary delivers gift bags with socks, games and other comfort items to patients in the pediatric unit at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

The event was the 2nd annual bowling fundraiser and it drew substantially a larger crowd and more sponsors. Many participants donned their own silly socks to show support for Zachary and his work.

Zachary spreads the word throughout the year about comfort items people can donate for patients of all ages, including playing card (Uno), Play-doh, coloring books and crayons, board games, bubbles and squishy stress balls. Item he collects for school-age children include pocket Etch-a-Sketch, craft sets, Lego sets, Hot Wheel or matchbox cars and trucks, action figures, TV show figures and puzzles. Items given to teens include dice, card and board games, Nerf items, jewelry kits and nail polish.

The organization's website at https://sillysocksaturdays.com/ includes wish lists and information on how people can help, with cash donations or by giving items through Amazon or eros wholesale.

Sponsors of the event included Forni Dental, Aventail Wealth Management, Spa Haven, Christina Richards State Far, Huston Cadillac BuickGMC, Brew Hounds Sports Lounge, Holy Cross, Professional Tax Consultants and the Durance/Covey Families.