Something Good: OKC 12-Year-Old Makes Holidays Warmer For The Homeless

When Kathryn Brewer came home one day and told her then 6-year-old daughter about a homeless woman outside her office, Rory immediately wanted to do something. 

“I asked why can’t we just buy her a house," said 12-year-old Rory Brewer.

A nice thought and Rory’s mom did help that woman with a trip to the grocery store. It turns out that spirit of generosity is genetic. 

“She was like I want to do something, like, if we can’t buy a house," said Kathryn.

Rory found her own philanthropic footing soon after. Still 6 years old, she started asking for sock donations for the homeless during the holidays. 

“I think I just realized how much I had, and how little they had, and I thought if I could just give them some socks, that would make a difference," said Rory. 

She has, and it’s enough to knock your you-know-what off. 

Over 15,000 pairs in six years, including a new-high of 3,600 this year. 

The donations come from all over the place, from persons known and unknown. 

“Someone donated, I think there were like 30 boxes outside our door one day and they were all from the same person, and they didn’t have a note at all," said Rory.

Rory normally hands them out to the homeless on Christmas Eve, but the pandemic had other plans. 

She instead delivered them to various organizations for distribution. 

But her message of warmth and caring was still very much felt. 

“Someone will look down at the note, and we’ve had people cry, just be moved by the idea that someone cared enough about them to do that," said Kathryn.

“It’s just so good whenever you can see the look on people’s faces when they get the socks. To know that I can give them that is just a really good feeling," said Rory.