Amy Krzanik reports from Hudson. More than 80 knitters and bidders crowded into Verdigris Tea & Chocolate on Warren Street for the very first Charity Sock Auction on Saturday evening, Feb. 18. The event, sponsored by Countrywool and Neighborhood Knitters of Hudson, was an ingenious way to supply neighbors with warm winter socks, which are a much-needed but rarely donated charity item. The live auction, led by Rupert Fennell, raised more than $3,000, which will be donated to The Salvation Army of Hudson to purchase thermal wool socks. Each of the 34 donated hand-knit sock pairs – which ranged from men’s striped to women’s silk to children’s booties – included a gift certificate stuffed inside, provided by one of 30 local businesses, making this a true community-wide effort and allowing even non-knitters a chance to participate. To add a little drama to the already brisk bidding action, one pair contained a $100 bill generously donated by one of the knitters.
Lauren Osterhoudt, Elizabeth Schneider, auction knitter Nicky Sacco-Brown and her husband, Roy Brown, wearing a sweater Nicky made; Marlene Marshall and Betsy Miller.
Auctioneer Rupert Fennell with auction assistant and sock knitter Sarah Price; bidder Kitty Mackey and knitters Amanda Henry of Elder Living Strategies and Laura Teague of MELT Body and Skin, a generous auction prize donor.
Never stop knitting: at least seven future clothing items were created during the auction.
Bob Weinman and Carol Doerfer of the Salvation Army Advisory Board; a sample of the 34 warm and colorful lots up for bidding.
Sarah Price displays the current pair up for grabs as Rupert Fennell leads off the bidding at $35; merino and nylon cat socks.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
