In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) at Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) in Knoxville recently organized a supply drive to provide essential care items to neighboring affected communities. Led by SOMA Knoxville President Lauren Huelson, the drive aimed to offer immediate support to people in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina who were severely impacted by the storm.
"We, as an executive board, wanted to take action as soon as we could to ensure that these individuals are taken care of," Huelson explained. “SOMA is built upon the principles of advocacy and community service, and we as a club felt as though this is how we could further our mission of providing to our community.”
The drive collected more than 200 items including water, feminine hygiene products, personal care items, clothing, shoes and non-perishable foods. Students delivered the donations to God's Warehouse, a disaster relief center in Morristown, Tennessee, where they will be distributed in the coming weeks to families in need.
"The response we had from our students and faculty was greater than I could have ever imagined," Huelson said. "We were truly moved by the kindness and generosity. Without them, this drive wouldn't have been as successful as it was."
Huelson also expressed gratitude to the SOMA executive board at LMU-DCOM Knoxville, whose hard work made the drive possible.
"I want to thank the SOMA DCOMK executive board: Lauren Gaggley, Clayton Jones, Nathan Yobst, Alexandria Gartman, Carly Horne and Angelika Santaliz. These individuals played a crucial role in organizing the drive in a timely manner."
For Huelson, the mission was personal, born out of her own experience in a major hurricane.
“I empathize with the fear and uncertainty that comes with the aftermath of the storm,” she said. “Being able to make even the smallest difference to those who have had their lives uprooted is the least we can do to achieve the greater goal of getting these individuals back on their feet.”
The donated items will be distributed by God’s Warehouse in the coming weeks.
The DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine is located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, and at LMU-Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee. LMU-DCOM is an integral part of LMU’s values-based learning community and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of osteopathic physicians to provide health care in the often-underserved region of Appalachia and beyond. For more information about LMU-DCOM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 7082, email dcom@LMUnet.edu, or visit us online at http://med.LMUnet.edu.
