The Louisiana Center for Dyslexia at Nicholls State University is collecting white socks for troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tracy Purvis, program coordinator for the Louisiana Center for Dyslexia, is in charge of “Operation White Socks.” The program was established three years ago when Purvis came across a request from the national group, Soldier’s Angels, for several items needed by troops.

According to the Soldier’s Angel’s Web site, the organization provides care packages for soldiers that include items such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, personal hygiene products, backpacks and socks.

“I was married to a marine who served in the first Gulf War, and I remember him saying that as long as his feet were okay that he would be okay,” Purvis said. “I’m not even sure why that stuck with me, but it gave me the idea for ‘Operation White Socks.’ “

When all socks have been collected, they will be shipped to Soldier’s Angels through a donation of $500 from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

It costs $20 for each package that is sent to Soldier’s Angels, which comes from that donation, Purvis said.

“The money not used on the shipment of the packages is used to buy and donate more socks,” Purvis said.

Some people from the dyslexia center staff, including Purvis, have family members who work for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Purvis said.

Purvis explained that when she wrote a letter to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in an attempt to collect a donation for shipping the socks, she was informed that many of the workers of the organization were veterans.

According to Purvis, the event has had much success in the past. In the first year, 1,800 pairs of socks were collected. Purvis said this year the numbers of donations are low, but she is hoping they will pick up between now and November when the socks will be shipped.

Purvis explained that usually there are different groups that donate to the cause.

In the past, groups that have donated to the cause included St. Amant High, Beta Alpha Psi of Nicholls, Ellender Memorial Library staff, a Nicholls education class, Lake Middle School’s Beta Club, St. Joseph’s Teens for Christ of French Settlement, the University’s Accounting Club and the Lion’s Club.

The center is collecting socks sizes 9-12 until Nov. 11. Socks can be dropped off in one of three donation boxes that are located at the dyslexia center in 166 Peltier Hall, the St. Thomas Aquinas Café and the office of Records and Registration in Otto Candies Hall.