Hanes®, America's No. 1 Sock Brand, Seeks Help of Facebook® Friends to Donate Up to 500,000 Pairs of Socks to The Salvation Army

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanes®, America's No. 1 Sock Brand (i), today announced the launch of a virtual holiday sock drive that will result in a much-needed product donation benefiting The Salvation Army in time for the holiday season.  Beginning Dec. 1, for every person who "likes" Hanes on Facebook® (www.Facebook.com/Hanes) and clicks "Help Hanes Donate," the brand will donate one pair of actual socks toward its overall donation goal of 500,000 pairs (one million individual socks).    

Last year, Hanes launched its first virtual sock drive after learning that socks are the No. 1 most-requested item at homeless shelters.  The Sock Drive encourages consumers to get into the holiday giving spirit by visiting the Hanes Facebook® page.  Visitors to the page can watch the progress of the drive via the Hanes sock-o-meter that helps track donations against the overall goal.

"Hanes is proud to bring back this initiative in time for the holidays.  Our 2009 virtual sock drive was extremely successful so there was no question we would make a donation again this year," said Sidney Falken, senior vice president, Hanes brand. "The Facebook® application allows us to engage our consumers in the donation process in a way that's fun, simple and makes everyone feel good.  Our hope is that people will see their friends participate through their newsfeeds and want to join in on the action so we can reach our goal as fast as possible."

This year's effort will mark a significant increase in the donation from last year.  In 2009, Hanes reached its goal of a 100,000-pair sock donation through the help of Facebook® users in just one day.   Based on the overwhelming success, Hanes upped its commitment by pledging to donate up to 500,000 pairs this year, giving even more consumers the opportunity to help with the effort.

"We're thrilled to be part of this effort as the recipient of this donation from Hanes, especially at this time of year," said Major George Hood, national community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army.  "Through our dedication to helping those in need, we know that socks are in high demand and oftentimes the most requested clothing item at homeless shelters. There is no question that the donation of 500,000 pairs of socks will go a long way toward keeping many people warmer and more comfortable this winter."

To participate in the virtual sock drive and for more information visit www.Facebook.com/Hanes or www.Hanes.com.  The application will be live until the overall donation goal of 500,000 pairs (one million individual socks) is met. For more information about The Salvation Army including ways to get involved, visit http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/.  

About Hanes

Hanes is a leading brand of intimate apparel, underwear, sleepwear, socks and casual apparel.    Hanes products can be found at leading retailers nationwide and online direct to consumers at www.hanes.com. Hanes is a flagship brand of Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE: HBI).

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

(i)  The NPD Group / Consumer Tracking Service, R12 Feb 10, Dollar Share

SOURCE Hanes