Welcome everybody to Midday magazine for this Thursday April 3rd 2025.
Have your host James J. Mailoff here. In part one today we're welcoming in our new
friend Kathy Brock. She is joining us to talk about Bobby Sox event and let
everybody know what this is in case you haven't heard of it already. It's the
eighth annual campaign that's going on. So Kathy thank you very much for
joining us. How are you doing today? I'm doing great. Thank you so much for
having me. Appreciate the time. I know like many of our listeners out there. This
is an event that I have seen and whether it's the Facebook post or some other
things around town that I've heard about or just talking to people about the
event. It's an interesting event a meaningful event and a fun event but we haven't
gotten to talk to you before. So if you don't mind Kathy before we dive too much
into the event the details and logistics of it. Could you tell us a little bit
of where this event started and how you got to be a part of it? Absolutely.
Sometimes I think it's the best kept secret and the next time it's like well
everyone knows about it. So I'm really fortunate to be here today. So this is
about my son Bob. That's how it was born. He had an accident nine years ago and
while we're at his funeral these people were coming up to us that we didn't
know and they would say we are so grateful for your son because our kids have
snow pants, our kids have boots, underwear, those kinds of things and the first
person who did it were like oh cool and then there were more and then there
were more. I mean there were people we have new friends lots of new friends. So
talk about a situation that just warmed our heart that probably left us
speechless on some of those meetings. So that's really how it started is that
event and it grew from there because then I was at a vendor event that I was
doing with a group of people three months later and when we've all finished
those people all walked up to me and handed me their profits and said do what
Bob would have done. So there's another speechless moment as I stood there
going wow how awesome is this and Bobby Sox was born that evening. Yeah. Thank
you Kathy. For the audience out there I handed over some tissues for Kathy here.
I mean did you take those back Kathy? I mean need some of those myself. That's
that's a beautiful thank you for sharing that. We appreciate that. Two notes
real quick researching this and hearing about this event over the years that I
finally have the opportunity to tell the people you know doing the event and
everything that I've wanted to for one I came from this background where we
didn't always have snow pants or gloves or some of these things and I know I
know very well what it means to get those kind of items. How what a difference
that can make in a child's life and a parents life. You know well they may not
be using the items the we all know as parents what it feels like when our
kids are a little covered when our kids are a little taken care of and
everything whether it's us doing it or help it just matters that the kid is
taken care of. And I mean I was actually just talking about this with Terry from
the United Way a little bit earlier one of my favorite things in life the
older I get is our ability as human beings to find silver linings and to
find positives and even the harshest and darkest moments. Every version every
person out there can relate to that but not everybody is is able to take that
moment and turn it into something like this. I'm also reminded of our friends at
Bluegrass on the lake and some of these kind of events that we have in this
area that we cherish and we promote and support so much where again tragedy
leads to beauty tragedy leads to doing beautiful things in this world and more
kindness in this world a more empathy in this world that I don't believe anybody
out there is looking for less of. We all know we could use more of these
things. So before we get to into the weeds or any of that with this event I got
to tell you right away to you everybody that's been a part of this event thank
you. Thank you so much. Thank you for sharing your your son your your love for
him with our community and for using that for something good. It's one of the
most remarkable things a human being can do and we appreciate it. Want to get
into the event. It's like you said you take a situation and you say how can I
move forward with this how can I create a comfort for somebody else when you go
through things like this and you know not that it's the intention sure but
while you when you do these kind of things and again I've talked to the
Bluegrass and Lake people about this and stuff too you're or even the
Doves Nest family when it comes to these kind of things you're giving other
people out there a blueprint you're giving people out there a bit of an
outline there is out while there are billions of books out there how to get
over grieving or any of these things it's a case by case basis and all the data
helps so you just don't know while you're doing this event we're helping out
kids and everything you could also be helping out people out there who are
struggling who are hurting and hearing this and seeing what you were able to do
and your family were able to do with this tragedy this moment and hopefully
you know getting a little bit of an idea of what they could do or how they can
get through things too it has so many layers to it it does and you triggered a
memory as you talked about people children who don't have things I can relate to
having to put the red bags in my boots back when and then I remember that
you're right so when you see that meme out there you're going hey that's me
and you know I'm not gonna say that Bob had to go through that but he knew
where to fill avoid and what was fascinating about it is he wouldn't show up
for events sometimes with our family and he'd say I have to work over time he
did not have to work over time he chose to work over time to take these
monies to help children yeah and we we go into kids adults everybody and the
one of the things where Bobby socks was born is you can get a lot of things
at St. Vinnie's or Goodwill but nobody wants to use socks and underwear right
so we're like let's grab that and go and this year this past year we've had a
big need for t-shirts and onesies even so we've expanded a little bit more now I
can't have a store so I keep it with those things that really make a difference
in somebody's life let's touch on the event itself and let everybody know more
about the details of this it's coming up in a couple of weeks the Bobby
socks event will be Thursday April 24th from 5 to 8 and this is taking place in
Marshfield it is we're having it at the American Legion post which is down on
South Maple Avenue in Marshfield and when somebody stops with a pack of socks
underwear one-zero t-shirts at the door they get a ticket for door prizes we'd
give those out every 15 minutes through the night and then there'll be
raffles and there will be auction items this year we're gonna have a gift
certificate wheel that we're spinning so we make it fun we do have music there is
a cash bar there also that sounds like a really fun event I like the the spin
on that no pun intended with some of that that's great I I've talked about this
with almost everyone of our events or nonprofits out there I'm pretty sure in
the state of Wisconsin you can't do this without a raffle so good on you guys
get the raffle part covered we know how much our audience and people love
those 50 50 is also a part of that it looks like it is one of the things that
really caught my eye was this auction table that sounds really interesting so you
got to get you're just selling a table or you know I'm sure I'm given away
everyone's table there what is what is that in tail so as people donate
items what I do is we go through and qualify what'll fit in the auction
you know that might be eighty dollars and under kind of thing and anything
over that'll fall on the auction table and you never know until about the
week before how big these items are just recently we've got a beautiful flag
that somebody made in their shop wood shop and it's painted you know with the
stars of the thirteen colonies so that's fun we'll have a I know we'll have
another flag that's coming maybe a bistro set lots of fun things so really
great and and certainly something to almost anybody out there listening is
gonna want to get in on or something that's very cool part of this I also see
that you're gonna have a cash bar whenever I let everybody know about that so
make sure that if you wanted to make use of that right got a cash on you and
everything and I see that there's live music yes we're gonna have a surprise
group this year cool last year we had a one person and that went great this
year we're going a little bit bigger so you got to show up to see this group
oh you're good at this cat nicely done yeah and you know we we do know whether
you know the artist or not we know how much music really like helps with these
events and it's and and one other quick thing I want to mention before I get
to into that vendors will be down there as well looks like we will have some
vendors yeah because of this amazing band we have this year space changes for
us so we're not gonna have like 15 vendors we're gonna have a couple of
the favorites come in you know you always hear is so and so coming back we are
having them back we will have the chocolate lady who doesn't love chocolate
we will have the greeting card lady for sure so be sure to see them wonderful
especially to be able to a consistent thing for people that have been coming to
the event for many years also with that with the live music the vendors you know
so many of these things this event is an wonderful event to bring you know
these items to people that need them and to honor a great human being along with
that though you're able to give an opportunity to vendors that they don't
always have and help them you know be able to make some more income having
live music down there and given this band another opportunity to perform and
be in front of people this is the the layers I'm talking about with events like
this and the importance of them and and going to them and supporting them you
are supporting the Bobby socks event that is first and foremost and you're
helping with those things but along with that you're able to buy some things
that a vendor may be and help put with help them out help an independent
business help a part of our ag industry possibly with the live music you're
supporting the local arts you're supporting the local industry and having fun at
the same time all of this and having fun it's it's the definition of a win
win situation and we love highlighting that and mentioning that whenever we
have a chance so along with all these great things and a great time you're
gonna be able to do that I didn't want to make sure to give some time to some
of the sponsor some of the people that have been a part of this and helping out
with a Kathy yeah and I think when win is important when we talk about
community yeah you know whether it's giving those vendors that extra chance the
band will be just fine yeah they really will be and I'm so excited for people
to get there and see who it is I wish the audience could see the big old
Cheshire cat smile on Kathy's face she knows something I know something yeah
but let me share just you know when we talk about the Central Wisconsin area
and where these donations go they definitely are private people find out about
us by somebody else we've helped we go into our super socks especially around
the holidays you know and I don't care if they use it for a gift for their child
that child doesn't care at that point they're just ecstatic to have yeah
socks underwear whatever we are open to helping families at head start we are
in our churches we are in the Hannah House the Ronald McDonald House in
Marshfield we have taken things to St. Vinnie's when they are needing again
things that are not used already shelters that have heard of us they will come
in and say you know how can you help us with this new family that came in and
that's where the money's come in when we make the monies off the raffles and
the auction it's being able to go out and say what else do we need Shirley's
house a hole and the schools so I have a lot of friends that are teachers they're
in that environment in the counselors and I was so unaware obviously Bob knew
something we didn't know but so unaware that children are wearing socks and
underwear day after day after day I did not know that some children even have to
take their showers at school I I was so unaware of what is going on out
there so I can't imagine what that's like fortunately but children are
going through that and if we can just make small changes that little girl gets
her frozen underwear you know with her little favorite character on it or the
kid gets the train I don't care what it is you know it could have nothing on it
but imagine how that would change their day at school by being able to have
the shower in some clean clothes so within the school I always embrace those
teachers and say reach out to me if that parent needs me to hang something on my
doorstep they can swing by and pick it up I don't need to know a name I just
want to help and that's the same with the family you know we just want to help
it's a nice reminder and thank you again Kathy for all of that and all of this
it's a nice reminder that this is an event while the event is Thursday April
24th it's coming up year round you can add to the Bobby Sox Foundation you can
be a part of that year round you can drop off items and everything correct
right we do get cash donations throughout the year just saying I know you guys
probably are looking for a little extra and then yeah reaching out to me and
saying hey what do you need in your closet you know just dropping off a box load
of something if we already have it I'm not I'm not gonna say no but I'm gonna say
give me that call first you know and find out what is it you need you know
one of the things in doing some homework on the event and and even talking with
some of our community members out there that have attended the event and
everything there's been a lot of things that you've touched on today but some
other stuff too I saw a note you've helped over 800 families already what
that with this event is that correct yes that's remarkable Kathy that's
remarkable it is and I visualize faces when I do things I see these faces and
these grins and just a happy heartbeat yeah yeah well said yeah and and and say
reminder to everybody out there I was talking with Kathy in our pre-game and it
does sound like that we got enough hands on deck we got enough people but we
are reaching out to any sponsors any businesses out there that would still
like to be a part of the event correct absolutely you know we're always
looking for how can we help you too so if you're looking to have your business
recognized and be associated with us you can participate with a raffle item
we're looking for gift cards for our spinning wheel this year so definitely
reach out to me if it's something you'd like to be part of and this is something
that I I touch on whenever I have an opportunity because I'm a big believer in
it's not enough to say something you have to back it up with action and we
have a mantra around here by local support local part of how we back that up is
talking about events like this but also reminding our audience that this is
again win-win situation this is an opportunity to support your local nonprofit to
be a part of things and if you're a business out there you know that you have a
budget for marketing for promotions and and it's it's not always easy especially
from mom and pop businesses out there to where you're going to market where
you're going to spend things let me tell you is somebody 20 plus years in this
industry you know even longer than that I've been working in head friends and
marketing and in sales and all that you can't put a price on good PR there is
no price tag on that you can't associating yourself with events like this
not only does it get seen by eyeballs and it may not be seen by otherwise and you
may get new consumers that way but no matter what whether you got a
that person already has been at your establishment or not they're associating
your name with a nonprofit there's seen that you're putting into your
community that you're buying local supporting local and the more we have of
that of our businesses the more that those businesses flourish you don't even
have to take my word for it ask any business that has worked with us or the
United Way or any of the nonprofits we have in this area or any of the events
we have in this area I only say what I can back up everybody and this one
it's right there for you so if you are a business you're hearing this and you're
like and that event sounds amazing I want to be a part of that reach out to
Kathy find out how you can be and go ahead and go forward with that because
again whatever you're spending on your book your your budget for PR or any of
those things marketing all this I you can double it you can triple it with these
kind of events and that does not just mean opinion there's stats and there's
plenty of facts to back that up in any good advertiser will tell you that can
not encourage you enough to reach out to Kathy and find out more about this
event um Kathy was there anything else you wanted to touch on that we may not
have gotten to yeah I want to share that we are on Facebook and when you go on
Facebook under Bobby socks and you like that page then if you decide to
participate in any way I make sure along with my husband dad and five other
siblings as if we share on Bobby socks and they they grab those shares so you
think about all the people that's this is hitting yes so I want to make sure
that one hand washes the other when you say I want to be part of this and maybe
it's a gift card I make sure you're recognized down there if you let me I we
have some anonymous people but if you let me all that marketing goes out to all
those people and I agree when you associate with good causes it says something
about your business too that five kids did you say you're a warrior you you are
amazing uh that that is also in a great note thank you for the details thank
you for that because you're you're absolutely right this is something I talk
about a lot with with Facebook pages and social media um you you you you are you
like the Bobby socks event you share it on your page you just never know who
might see it that wouldn't have otherwise think of that on a time six level you
know kind of thing and that's where Kathy is going with that so again another
thing great opportunity reach out to Kathy and find out more find out how you can
be a part of this amazing event one more time let's mind everybody to join us
for a central Wisconsin's eighth annual I don't know if I've even mentioned it
was the eighth annual I got to get that more in there more eighth annual
campaign for underwear and socks the Bobby socks event Kathy when is it coming up
again it will be Thursday April 24th from five to eight at the American Legion in
Marshville in the addresses 2100 South Maple and Kathy if people have been
hearing this and they would like to be a part of it whether they're a business
or they're just an individual in the community maybe they they're not able to
make the event live or anything but they want to drop something off or any of
the above what is the best way to contact you call me on myself 715 897
6571 and as Kathy mentioned the Facebook page one or mind you again the
Facebook page is another great way to maybe contact or to at least share some
of these things that are going on and certainly a great reminder of the event
which is again coming up at the end of the month Thursday April 24th five to
eight over at American Legion post 54 shout out to the American Legion all
over the state and they host these events all the time and that we really
appreciate them doing that talk about buying local sporting local they do that
in in tons Kathy thank you for the time I do want to warn you though you did
too good of a job you're gonna have to come back next year I want to come back
and talk about the ninth annual and the tenth annual and all that I want to
make this a regular thing I really do appreciate you taking the time to be
with us today I would love that great great we'll see you soon we'll talk again
and thank you and good luck with the event hopefully you'll be there now we'll
see you that again the Bobby socks 8th annual event coming up Thursday April
24th five to eight over at American Legion post 54 in beautiful Marshfield we'll
be back with more midday magazine right here at 97 5 FM 13 20 AM WFHR we are
locally grown radio
