Coat drive connects patients with needed warm clothing

While the cold temperatures of January kept everyone bundled up and braced against the chill in warm coats, scarves and layers, some people in our area were not so lucky. Some marginalized groups didn’t have the means to don warm clothing, whether they were struggling with mental health issues, substance use, homelessness or circumstances beyond their control. 

The Adams School of Dentistry chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) decided to devote the month of January to a service project to help connect the patients at the REACH clinic in Raleigh with much-needed warm clothing. The clinic offers care services that go beyond typical primary care, including dental care, a food pantry and a basic needs distribution center. Wrenn Whitfield, DDS ‘27 candidate, coordinates with the REACH clinic and thought a coat drive at ASOD could help these patients during the winter months. 

The coat drive collected more than 80 pieces of warm clothing, including coats, sweaters, hats, gloves and warm footwear to donate to the REACH clinic. 

These opportunities allow [students] to see how their skills, knowledge, and compassion can extend beyond the clinic, creating a broader impact in the community. This shift helps them gain a sense of purpose and connection, reminding them that their education is not only about personal success but also about contributing to the well-being of others. The excitement they feel is a powerful reminder of the lasting effects service can have on both the individual and the community.

Wrenn Whitfield, DDS ’27 candidate

“Ultimately, community outreach fosters unity, combats isolation, and reminds us of our shared humanity. It’s not just about material aid but about showing love, care, and solidarity,” Whitfield said.

Nationally, ASDA encourages the individual school chapters to coordinate service and/or outreach events in the ways that the students see fit. It also encourages chapter committees to choose projects that will have good support from members of the dental school and the community while making a positive impact.

“Setting aside time to engage in service and opportunities beyond the classroom allows me to do my best didactically as I have an outlet to engage in impactful experiences with the communities around me and use my education in a more hands-on avenue,” Whitfield said. “I appreciate that at ASOD we are given additional time within our school day to coordinate experiences such as these as students and even to carry out events such as these.”