The students of the Georgia Campus - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine wanted to do something special for kids around the Atlanta area this past holiday season.
For a second year, the students hosted the Project Angel Tree, a campus-wide endeavor to collect wished-for toys and supplies to give back to the community during this gift-giving season. It was started last year by student Hershika Patel, and the Student Government Association continued the project in hopes to make it an annual endeavor.
“Project Angel Tree was started with the purpose of bringing the GA-PCOM community together on one project that would bring holiday help to those in need. In our second year, Project Angel Tree grew in its impact and spirit across campus,” said Tyler Raeford, current president of GA-PCOM’s SGA.
Last year, GA-PCOM collected approximately 50 items, and this year, the effort collected 76 items for four shelter organizations in Atlanta.
The items collected included toys and art supplies, hygiene supplies, cleaning materials, bedding, and clothes. The team researched Atlanta-area shelters and found a few that provided "wish lists" of much-needed items, some of which were for their clients at the shelter and some of which benefited the shelter itself to provide the best support possible. These shelters include the Atlanta Mission network locations and Solomon's Temple.
Wish list items were written on paper Angel “ornaments” that decorated a Christmas tree in GA-PCOM’s atrium. Individual students and faculty, groups, or organizations were able to select an ornament throughout the holiday season. Then, the donated item is wrapped and placed back under the tree in the atrium.
“I think that the project really promotes itself in that students are excited to get involved when they see the mass of wrapped gifts under the tree spilling out into our common area. In the days leading up to Christmas, SGA Executive Board Members collect the gifts, divide them into groups for their respective shelters, and personally deliver them to the shelters,” added Raeford.
The presents provided those a gift for Christmas that may otherwise get nothing or reduce strain on the shelter itself to provide a safe, warm, clean space for holiday celebration. Raeford hopes that the program’s commitment can grow to over 100 donated items to more than five different shelters in Atlanta.
“As an Osteopathic Medical School that is committed to providing whole-person care and betterment of communities, it is important that our programs continue to collaborate on these types of projects to bring a positive impact to the Gwinnett, Atlanta, national, and even global communities,” Raeford added.
In other news
Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa hosted the third annual Swing for the Kids golf tournament benefiting Christ’s Starfish Foundation. The resort welcomed over 150 guests for a weekend of golf, celebrity meet and greets, fellowship and fundraising. Approximately $25,000 was raised, 100 percent of which will go to help families of patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
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