Marshall Medical Outreach launches annual coat drive for area homeless

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015
Contact: Leah C. Payne, Director of Public Affairs, Schools of Medicine & Pharmacy, 304-691-1713
Sheanna M. Spence, Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs & Community Relations, 304-691-1639

Marshall Medical Outreach launches annual coat drive for area homeless

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Students from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall University School of Pharmacy are collecting coats for the region’s homeless and those in need as part of Marshall Medical Outreach—a coalition of students, physicians and volunteers who provide free monthly health care screenings and services to the homeless in our region.

The coat drive will run Oct. 24, 2015, through Jan. 23, 2016, and coats will be distributed during each of the Marshall Medical Outreach (MMO) monthly service dates. Donation bins will be available at 16 different locations throughout the region, including:

Bailey & Wyant, PLLC – 500 Virginia St. E. #600, Charleston (Contact: Brian Morrison)
Erma Ora Byrd Clinical Center – 1249 15th St., Huntington
o   Marshall Health (Contact: Brian Blinn)
o   Marshall Internal Medicine – Second & Third Floors (Contacts: Sheila McCallister, Marla Nichols)
o   Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine – First Floor (Contact: Brenda Harlow)

First United Methodist Church – 615 Water St., Barboursville (Contact: Kerry Bart)
Huntington Hall of Frames – 450 Fifth Ave., Huntington (Contact: Greg Norris)
Marshall Psychiatry – 1115 20th St. #205, Huntington (Contact: Missy Browning)
Marshall University
o Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center – 1700 Third Ave., Huntington (Contact: Monica Valentovic)
o Psychology Department – Harris Hall (Third Avenue), Huntington (Contact: Marianna Linz)

Marshall University School of Pharmacy – VA Medical Center, 1542 Spring Valley Dr., Huntington (Contact: Delilah Navarro)
Marshall University Medical Center—1600 Medical Center Dr., Lobby, Huntington
(Contact: Sheanna Spence)
Mattress Warehouse (Contact: Pete McClung)
o 10-1/2 Mall Rd. Barboursville
o 3507 US Rt. 60, Huntington

Old Colony, Realtors – 334 E. Main St., Milton (Contact: Betty Sargent)
Source 4 – Perry Morris Square, 500 E. Main St., Milton (Contact: Lisa Legg)
Studio 8 Yoga & Wellness – 803 8th Ave., Huntington (Contact: Joan Hall St. Claire)
True Blue Salon – 3677 U.S. Rt. 60, Barboursville (Contact: Connie Nichols)
WVU Extension Office – 2726 Howells Mill Rd., Ona (Contact: Kandi Messinger)

“We have found that meeting a simple need makes a big difference in our patients’ lives. The coat drive is a wonderful example of this,” said Meg Smith, a fourth-year student at Marshall’s School of Medicine. “Last year, we collected more than 900 coats to be distributed in our area, and we hope this year will also be successful. Our goal is to empower our patients to pursue healthy lifestyles and seek opportunities to improve their living circumstances.”

At each of the winter MMO events, volunteers will assist individuals who are in need of a winter coat by finding their correct size and desired coat style.

"Helping the less fortunate not only with free medical needs but with warm clothing for the winter is a wonderful thing,” said Delilah Navarro, a fourth-year student at the Marshall School of Pharmacy. “Making people feel loved and cared for regardless of income is a very humbling experience, and I'm so happy to be part of this school and its caring students.”

Remaining coats that are not given through MMO will be distributed to one or more of the following organizations with a limited coat supply—Cridlin Food & Clothing Pantry, Harmony House, Her Place, Huntington City Mission, Recovery Point or Women’s Empowerment & Addiction Recovery (WEAR) Program.

For more information about the coat drive or to volunteer with Marshall Medical Outreach, please contact Missy Browning at 304-691-1511.

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Date Posted: Thursday, October 15, 2015