Earlier this year, the funky socks craze grabbed the attention of Business Record Editor Suzanne Behnke. She took notice when a group of commercial real estate professionals arrived at our office, each and every one wearing funky socks as a fashion statement of sorts. 

Keller Williams commercial real estate director Mick Grossman was not part of that group, but he shares a fascination with funky socks. Whereas we at the Business Record just write stories about them, Grossman decided to follow his feet to folks who really need socks, any socks.

Grossman started donating one pair of socks to homeless charities for every compliment he received for the zany socks he was wearing. To pick up the pace, he would set aside a portion of real estate sales commissions, go sock shopping and provide $100 worth of socks to the charities.

Socks and personal items are the most needed items at homeless shelters, he said.

Still, he wasn’t convinced that $100 worth of socks was getting the job done.

“I just thought there had to be a better way,” Grossman said. There was. For that same $100, he could have 400 pairs of socks manufactured in North Carolina. He was getting somewhere. To this point, he has donated 11,000 pairs of socks.

His efforts have led him in other charitable directions. After Houston was struck by a hurricane, he teamed up with a pet store and donated 2,000 pounds of pet food to AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport.

Everybody needs a coat in the wintertime. So far, Grossman has donated about 30.

The name of his charity is Socks of Love, and you can learn a little more about it at socksoflove1 on Instagram. He is quick to point out that Socks of Love is not organized as a charitable organization, although he is considering seeking the designation. 

“Every day we go to work, and work is satisfying, but it’s work,” Grossman said. “My background is small business, so I wondered how could I use all this energy to make a difference.”