Life Socks/Socks=Life

10/16/2025

While the spring and summer months have not seen me out as much I have still been doing my sock walks. The way I prefer with little public fanfare but still serving the unhoused with direct outreach.

My sock drives will now be mostly centered on the fall and winter months. It's when the need is the greatest. I am almost out of warm sock, beanies and gloves.

I am giving the website that has the warmest and greatest bulk options and best prices. If you are so inclined please ship to:
Ray Tilton
306 Mendocino Ave. #604
Santa Rosa, Ca 95401

02/05/2025

Thank you so much Patrick for your continued support with the annual holiday sock drive. The generosity from you and your friends means the world.
During this time of year the warm, high quality socks really go the extra mile.

Between my shoulder and hand surgeries last year I'm still at it. This time of year is even more crucial for me to get out there when I can.

Thank you all so much for the continued support. I have been working with and developing relationships with other grassroots efforts.

I just took on mentoring a real estate company and they are doing a month long sock drive and will be learning the ropes for direct outreach. The work continues and I am so humble and thankful.

Send a message to learn more

11/27/2024

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/specialsections/homeless-santa-rosa-sock-man/

Still doing the sock thing. Thank you so much to those who have contributed to this season's sock drive. The response has been slower than in years past but still able to provide socks, beanies and gloves. I will be running out soon with the recent rains and continuing freezing temps.
If you are so inclined to donate you can do so through direct ship to:
Ray Tilton
306 Mendocino Ave. #604
Santa Rosa, Ca 95401 or......send easy to use gift cards. If you use Amazon easy direct gift cards sent to [email protected]

Many have been using this company and it is the best for quality, price and bulk contributions.
https://www.google.com/search?q=yacht+%26+smith+socks+gloves+and+beanies&sca_esv=8d419a3d49aff387&rlz=1CATTSD_enUS987&sxsrf=ADLYWIIRQCk7Dv3-INtdtLCmPXYuMHFNVA%3A1732743734453&ei=NpJHZ_CoG-uz0PEP_cLq6Qk&ved=0ahUKEwjwm522vf2JAxXrGTQIHX2hOp0Q4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=yacht+%26+smith+socks+gloves+and+beanies&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiJnlhY2h0ICYgc21pdGggc29ja3MgZ2xvdmVzIGFuZCBiZWFuaWVzMgsQABiABBiwAxiiBDILEAAYgAQYsAMYogQyCxAAGLADGKIEGIkFSLIKUABYAHABeACQAQCYAQCgAQCqAQC4AQPIAQCYAgGgAiiYAwCIBgGQBgOSBwExoAcA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

Slowed by some health issues, Santa Rosa’s ‘Sock Man’ still giving away small bundles of warmth to the unhoused.

11/04/2024

It's that time of year again to kick off my sock/hat/gloves drive. I haven't been able to do as many sock walks as of late due to some ongoing health stuff.
I have continued to distribute through networking with other organizations and groups. I have been walking again and doing the sockman thing.
To date I have given out over 5000 pairs of socks, beanies and gloves THANKS to ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
With the upcoming predictions of a wet and cold winter the need for good quality socks and those great beanies and gloves you all have donated in the past are more in demand than ever.
As usual, you can send easy to use gift cards, Amazon is great as I can just add the card to my Amazon account if you just send them via my email. You can direct ship as well to:
Ray Tilton
306 Mendocino Ave. #604
Santa Rosa, Ca. 95401
[email protected]
My inventory is bare bones at the moment. Thanks and BARKS

Send a message to learn more

08/20/2024

6 month post shoulder surgery check in. I have been back to doing my weekly sock walk. It has become apparent that I will be reducing the walks and focus during the fall/winter months only moving forward.

It was not an easy choice but a sensible and practical one for both my own "aging" body and the fact that socks, beanies and gloves are most crucial during those months.

I'll still be doing my seasonal sock drives but now only once a year to sustain the needs for the tougher times of the year. I will continue to network with other grass root groups/organizations to distribute/connect when sock inventories allow.

Thank you all for your continued support and look for the fall/winter launch for donations.

Send a message to learn more

05/16/2024

Today was my first full sock walk since shoulder surgery in February. I was able to get to some of my more far flung outreach. Quite a few were glad to see me and had been wondering about me. Lots of "good to see you sock man".

At one the far reaching groups several of them said, "hey it's the sock man that lives down town". I was glad to see some of my regulars alive and safe. They survived another cold and wet winter.

Send a message to learn more

05/05/2024

Just a quick update. The surgery went well and am in the throws of physical therapy twice a week. One armed and all, managed a few sock walks/distribution.

6 months to a full year is the expected complete recovery but I hope to be back to the one on one distributing by mid summer "ish".

02/16/2024

Just a quick update. I had major shoulder surgery last week and have a long haul ahead. Rest assured socks went out almost right up until surgery.

I will be working with outreach to get them into much needed hands through other grass roots and similar organizations that serve the unhoused until I am able to return. Hopefully that will be this spring.

12/19/2023

Today's thank you's go out to some very wonderful "anonymous" donors who sent gloves, beanies and amazingly warm winter socks.

So needed now more than ever with the cold and penetrating rain.

12/03/2023

Good afternoon from the sockman. Donations have been a bit scarce so far this year. I know times are tough for many of us. With the cold and rainy season well upon us the need is great as usual. Mostly looking for those good quality socks, beanies and gloves.

As always you can donate easy to use gift cards, ship directly to me or purchase online Amazon gift cards and send to my email. I then add the gift cards to my Amazon account and shop accordingly.

I can't believe that for the first time in a year and a half I am running VERY low. Here's the info for donating. Happy Holidays to you all.

Ray Tilton
306 Mendocino Ave #604
Santa Rosa, Ca 95401
[email protected]

11/10/2023

Today's thank you goes out to 1st Congregational Church who for the second year has held a sock drive. Today they dropped off over 100+ pairs of good quality socks that will go a long way in keeping feet warm this winter.

As usual you can donate by directly shipping socks, beanies and gloves or by sending easy to use gift cards. The easiest option if you use Amazon is to purchase gift cards via email and send to me via email and I can just add the amount to my account for easy shopping and shipping.

Ray Tilton
306 Mendocino Ave #604
Santa Rosa, Ca 95401
[email protected]

11/04/2023

It's that time of year again to kick off my sock/hat/gloves drive. I haven't been able to do as many sock walks as of late due to some ongoing health stuff.

I have continued to distribute through networking with other organizations and groups. I have been walking again and doing the sockman thing.

To date I have given out over 5000 pairs of socks, beanies and gloves THANKS to ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

With the upcoming predictions of a wet and cold winter the need for good quality socks and those great beanies and gloves you all have donated in the past are more in demand than ever.

As usual, you can send easy to use gift cards, Amazon is great as I can just add the card to my Amazon account if you just send them via my email. You can direct ship as well to:
Ray Tilton
306 Mendocino Ave. #604
Santa Rosa, Ca. 95401
[email protected]

My inventory is bare bones at the moment. Thanks and BARKS