MONTREAL It sounds like the simplest thing in the world getting socks for Christmas. But for volunteers heading to St. Michael’s Mission this week, that simple thing took on mammoth proportions, in a few ways. “That first year, I drove down here with 464 pairs,” said Barry Christensen of the volunteer group, which is called Sock It To Me. “Six years later we’re standing in front of 25,776 pairs of socks,” he said. “It’s just… beyond words.” The organization has learned more about the importance of its gifts over the years. For people living on the street, a dry pair of socks can make an immeasurable difference.