HILDEBRAN, N.C. — As the war in Ukraine continues, villages and neighbors are being impacted. Recently, an orphanage in a village in Ukraine was invaded, leaving 53 children and staff hiding in a bomb shelter.

The founder of DeFeet International, Shane Cooper, has a Hickory friend that recently adopted a son from that orphanage. 

What You Need To Know

  • DeFeet ​International based in Burke County is making socks with Ukrainian flag colors to support the country

  • Founder Shane Cooper has a friend in Hickory who just adopted a son from a Ukrainian orphanage​

  • The village was invaded during the attacks from Russia, leaving over 50 children and staff hiding in a bomb shelter

  • All profits from sales will go toward the orphanage

Cooper says his staff quickly came together to help. DeFeet International, located in Burke County, has been making high-endurance socks since 1992. 

Cooper says he grew up loving the outdoors but really found his niche in cycling. After attending Catawba Valley Community College for electronic engineering, he put his passions together and created DeFeet International with his wife. 

"I’m a cyclist. I’m a runner. I’m a skier, and I like to keep the playground clean," Cooper said. 

Cooper says his staff were in agreement, they wanted to help that orphanage. 

The design team came up with a sock with Ukrainian's flag colors with the yellow and blue upside down, signaling distress, a heart sown into the sock and the words "#loveforUkraine" on the foot of the sock. 

“It was unanimous. Everyone here wanted to get involved and help. Why did we do it? Because Ukraine needs it," Cooper said.