Former President George HW Bush Donates 'Cactus' Socks to Catholic Fundraiser
Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush has decided to donate one pair from his collection of vibrant and quirky socks to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine for their annual Harvest Ball fundraiser.
The former president will be donating a pair of brightly colored orange, yellow, and blue socks with cactus images on them to be auctioned off at the Diocese's annual Harvest Ball later this week. The purpose of the Harvest Ball is to raise money for the Diocese's Harvest magazine, distributed free to readers. The magazine distributes news about Maine's Catholic community for free to its 70,000 readers and offers support for local ministries and programs.
Bush's "cactus socks" were previously displayed in a Twitter photo uploaded by fellow former president Bill Clinton while the two lunched in Kennebunkport, Maine last month. Former President Clinton included a caption to the photo that read: "Enjoyed my annual lunch with President and Mrs. Bush in Maine. Envious of his 'western Cactus'-themed socks. #sockswag."
Along with the actual socks, Bush also donated a signed picture of himself with Clinton showcasing the socks and a letter verifying the garment's authenticity. The former president also included a note that read: "I absolutely love a crazy pair of socks. Barbara, on the other hand, has had enough, which is why you are the lucky recipient."
The Harvest Ball that will take place on October 26 in Portland, Maine will also feature silent auction items that include autographs from the Boston Red Sox and the Portland Pirates, among other items.
Bush, 89, has become known both in the social media world as well as the political world for his eccentric fashion taste in socks, regularly wearing bright, mismatched socks with suits and dress shoes. For example, when Bush served as the witness at a same-sex wedding in Maine in September, he wore one red sock with blue polka dots and one blue sock with red polka dots.
The former president has also been photographed wearing patriotic-themed red white and blue socks, red and white striped socks, and hot pink socks with small blue emblems.