Philadelphia police wear silly socks for Ronald McDonald House

On Wednesday, Oct. 15, the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House celebrated its 40th anniversary.

To mark the milestone, the House hosted its first ever Social Sock Campaign – known as #Sockie online – in an effort to raise $40,000 for the organization that provides housing and supportive services to families with children in the hospital.

The campaign encouraged Philadelphians to “show your stripes" by purchasing and wearing striped Ronald McDonald socks that day, and posting photos of the socks on social media.

Members of the Philadelphia Police were fast supporters of the cause, getting special permission to wear the silly socks with their uniforms.

The officers purchased about 2,600 pairs of the $10 socks. Even the K-9 unit outfitted its German shepherds with several pairs, Philly.com reported.

"The Philadelphia Police Department is throwing their full support behind Philadelphia Ronald Mcdonald House Front & Erie ‪#‎ShowYourSocks‬ initiative! Keep an eye out around the City today for Philly Cops rockin their socks, and visit http://www.philarmh.org/ to see how you can donate!!” the department wrote on Facebook.

Officer Roslyn Talley helped initiate the department’s participation in the fundraiser. Talley stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Wilmington years ago while her then-toddler daughter, who has cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy, underwent surgery.

"Nobody with a family – nobody with a heart – can avoid [a fundraiser for] the Ronald McDonald House," Talley said. “What they offer is absolutely amazing.”

Talley got permission from Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel for a “mass uniform violation,” then started selling silly socks to officers. The first 600 pairs sold out in hours.

Even the District Attorney’s Office got on board, with staffers and the District Attorney himself modelling the fun socks in a photo posted on Twitter.

"I was just so happy to see so many police officers participate and have fun with it," Talley told Philly.com. “I pitched the idea, yes, but it was all the other officers that took it to the next level.”

The “mass uniform violation” raised $26,000 for Ronald McDonald House.