Sock Out Cancer® Day Proclaimed In New York State; Security Mutual Life, Sock Out Cancer®, and the DICK’S Open Announce Charitable Initiatives for the 2025 DICK’S Open
Binghamton, NY – Officials from the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly joined representatives from Sock Out Cancer® and Security Mutual Life in presenting a resolution proclaiming June 1, 2025, Sock Out Cancer Day in New York State. Sock Out Cancer Day coincides with National Cancer Survivors Day®.
“On behalf of Security Mutual Life and Sock Out Cancer, we thank our elected officials in the New York State Senate and Assembly for unanimously passing a resolution declaring June 1, 2025, as Sock Out Cancer Day in New York State. We thank you for your support of our organization as we continue our mission and draw greater awareness to our cause,” said Bruce W. Boyea, Security Mutual Life Chair of the Board and Sock Out Cancer Trustee.
Founded in 2017, the mission of Sock Out Cancer is to assist financially distressed cancer patients and their families pay for non-medical necessities such as food, transportation, and housing, so that patients can focus their energy on fighting cancer. Since its inception, Sock Out Cancer has distributed $1.8 million to participating hospital foundations and other charitable organizations.
Additionally, DICK’S Open tournament director, John Karedes, alongside Security Mutual Life President and Chief Executive Officer, Kirk R. Gravely, and Security Mutual Life Chair of the Board, Bruce W. Boyea, proudly announced that Birdies For Cancer will be returning to the DICK’S Open in 2025 as well as Sock Out Cancer Awareness Day on July 11.
Birdies For Cancer is an initiative at the DICK’S Open where donors can make a pledge per birdie made at the tournament (or a flat donation).
In 2024, Birdies For Cancer raised $30,000 which was distributed evenly between, and presented to, the UHS Foundation and the Lourdes Hospital Foundation, to assist cancer patients and their families in the Greater Binghamton area. “All of us at Security Mutual Life and Sock Out Cancer truly appreciate Broome County Community Charities and the DICK’S Open for their support of Sock Out Cancer. I’m proud to announce that Security Mutual Life has again committed to matching 10% of the total amount raised for the 2025 Birdies For Cancer campaign,” said Kirk R. Gravely, President and Chief Executive Officer of Security Mutual Life and Sock Out Cancer Trustee.
“Today is a great day. When we can take professional golf and springboard it into charitable donations, that’s what it’s all about. Broome County Community Charities has raised over $21 million and we’re looking to continue to grow that number,” stated John Karedes, tournament director, the DICK’S Open.
To make a donation to the Birdies for Cancer initiative at the 2025 DICK’S Open, please visit dsgopen.com/birdies-for-cancer.
Sock Out Cancer also announced details surrounding its annual benefit concert, taking place Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Broome County Forum Theatre. Additionally, it was announced that Sock Out Cancer socks will be manufactured by Finger Lakes Textiles, whose Waterloo, NY workforce includes individuals with varying abilities.
Sock Out Cancer would like to thank the New York State Senate and Assembly for their resolution recognizing the organization’s many contributions including the distribution of $1.8 million to cancer patients and their families.
About Sock Out Cancer®
Sock Out Cancer is a nonprofit initiative that aids financially distressed families so they can put all of their energy into fighting cancer. It is funded through donations, community-based fundraising efforts and the sale of its signature multi-colored socks, all of which also help raise public awareness of the financial challenges facing families fighting cancer. To learn more about Sock Out Cancer, please visit SockOutCancer.org and the Sock Out Cancer Facebook page. Sock Out Cancer, LLC, is wholly owned by the Security Mutual Life Foundation, which is a New York 501(c)(3) public charity.
About Broome County Community Charities, Inc.
Broome County Community Charities, Inc. has been the cornerstone of professional golf in Central New York since the first event was held in 1971. As host of the PGA TOUR’s B.C. Open and Champions Tour DICK’S Sporting Goods Open, Broome County Community Charities has contributed over $21 Million to numerous local charities. Their primary charitable recipients are the Lourdes Hospital Foundation and United Health Services Foundation. Additionally, local service clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions who assist in the operation of the tournament, have received substantial dollars for their charitable organizations. They are the two-time recipient of the prestigious Presidents Award, the highest honor on the Champions Tour.
About Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York
Founded in 1886, Security Mutual Life ––The Company That Cares®–– is one of the leading mutual life insurance companies in the United States. Security Mutual Life has been helping protect families and businesses during periods of prosperity, as well as during wars and times of economic uncertainty. The Company is recognized by leading life insurance analysts for its sound investment policies and performance. A.M. Best rates Security Mutual Life’s Financial Condition and Operating Performance Rating: A- (Excellent.)* Security Mutual Life is licensed in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
*A.M. Best assigns their “A-” (Excellent) rating to companies, which have, on balance, excellent financial strength, operating performance, and market profile when compared to the standards they have established. A.M. Best feels these companies have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders. The “A-” rating is fourth highest on A.M. Best’s 16-step rating scale. A.M. Best rating is current as of the date of publication. Ratings reflect a rating agency’s opinion of a company’s financial strength and ability to meet its obligations to its policyholders. A rating is not a recommendation of a company or any specific policy form.