The Atlanta Vision Research Community and the Society of Emerging Eye Researchers (SEERs) held a coat drive from Nov. 20 to Dec. 13. Using donation boxes set up at various locations around the Georgia Tech and Emory campuses, the team collected a total of 30 coats, along with numerous pants, shirts, gloves and hats. The donations went to the Midtown Assistance Center.
After Hurricane Helene's devastating impact, SEERs was inspired to donate warm winter clothing to those in need.
“After reaching out to several organizations to inquire about donation opportunities, we were advised to contribute to local organizations, as they were being inundated with donations and supplies,” the group said.
SEERs connected with the Midtown Assistance Center, an organization focused on preventing homelessness and hunger in Atlanta by offering food, financial assistance and employment support.
“I think the publicity surrounding the hurricane’s devastation really highlighted a need that’s always been present in our own backyard, but often overlooked because it doesn’t make the news,” said Hannah Youngblood, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Raquel Lieberman Lab of Georgia Institute of Technology.
Within hours of dropping off the donations, Midtown Assistance Center reached out to thank SEERs, noting that several of the coats were already helping to keep local residents warm.
The Society of Emerging Eye Researchers (SEERs) is a group of graduate students and postdocs involved in eye and vision research through the Atlanta Vision Research Community, which includes labs at Emory University, Georgia Tech, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia State University and the Atlanta VA.