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In 1999 Ryan S Ballard created The Sock Monkey Project as a community arts project in Kansas City, Mo. With
sponsorship from Fox Rive Mills and help from volunteers he built 100 sock monkeys that were exhibited as an
installation art piece and then given to children who had been abused and were in the care of CASA.
Sock Monkey Project 2004: Kingsley House
The Sock Monkey Project was ressurected in December of 2004, with the sponsorship of Fox River Mills and Target.
Razzamataz organized a workshop at the Big Top Gallery that allowed individuals to build sock monkeys that were then
donated as Christmas presents to the children at The Kingsley House Home for Battered Women and Children. Over 100
sock monkeys were hand sewn by those attending the workshop. These sock monkeys were given to the children of Kingsley
House by Ryan S Ballard who dressed up in a gorrilla suit as “Monkey Claus” for the occasion.
Sock Monkey Project 2005: New Orleans Orphans
Sock Monkey Project 2005 proved to be a larger and more successful undertaking than any of
the preceding projects. Ryan S Ballard was forced to leave New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina, but was able to organize
the Sock Monkey Project in Colorado Springs, CO. In December 2005, Mr. Ballard formed a partnership with Starbucks and held
three Razzamataz sock monkey building workshops in Colorado Springs. These workshops were highly publicized and over 200
volunteers attended. Over 150 sock monkeys were built by Mr. Ballard and the volunteers. Mr. Ballard flew to New Orleans
on December 19th with three enormous bags of sock monkeys and gave a sock monkey to each child who was orphaned by Hurricane
Katrina.
Razzamataz sends out a huge heartfelt “Thank You!” to all of the volunteers and sponsors who
make the Sock Monkey Project possible. Especially our generous patron Fox River Mills, who has donated hundreds of socks to
the project over the years.
Sock Monkey Project 2006: Foster Kids in the Pikes Peak Region
Sock Monkey Project 2006 was a big success! Once again, Fox River Mills generously donated enough socks to build 100+ sock monkeys. This year we hooked up with CASA to give the monkeys to foster kids in the CO Springs area.
Coming Soon... Sock Monkey Project 2008!
We'll be doing it again next year. But, you don’t have to wait to get involved. Click the link below to print out sock monkey building directions.
When you finish your sock monkey mail it to:
Razzamataz, Incorporated
Attn: Sock Monkey Project 2008
3521 West 40th Ave.
Denver, CO 80211
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