DOING GOOD

When retired Illinois teacher Tom McNamara learned that aid agencies often forget that homeless people need warm, clean footwear as much as sweaters and hats, he didn’t just donate some old boots to charity. He sold his house, bought an RV, and now travels around the country handing out new socks to the homeless. McNamara has already distributed thousands of socks from Missouri to New Mexico. His next destination is Phoenix, where he’ll be accompanied by his dog and 5,000 pairs of new socks. “The smiles you see when a kid gets a pair of dry, clean socks are incredible,” McNamara said.