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SALEM, MASS. – Boxes of winter clothing are on the way to North Carolina to help keep warm victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, thanks to a clothing drive led by students in ����ֱ��’s sport and movement science department.

The department held a clothing drive from November through January after it became known that a former student who lives in Ashville, North Carolina had been devastated by flooding from the storms. The student’s story of resilience in the face of massive losses resonated with those hearing about it more than a thousand miles away, spurring action across campus.

“She was like, ‘we’re all in this.’ The people of western North Carolina joined forces and were trying to support each other, so they created clothing drives, food drives, everything else,” said KC Bloom, a professor of sport and movement science at Salem State. “The government can only do so much when the destruction is that vast.”

In response, SMS students started a clothing drive. They positioned close to a dozen boxes throughout campus to accept donations in dorm and classroom buildings. That led to 11 heavy boxes being sent to North Carolina last week.

“We are very proud of the work our students have done,” Bloom said. “The sport and movement science club worked hard to gather clothing, check its quality and condition, and make sure that it was ready to be shipped. They stepped out of their comfort zone to do something for others, and that’s remarkable.”