Owens Community College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography faculty and students are reaching out to those in
need of coats and apparel during the upcoming winter months by hosting a winter coat drive through Nov.
29.
The community outreach initiative is titled "Susie’s Coats" and named in honor of Owens
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Chair Susan Perry of Woodville. Now in its sixth year, "Susie’s
Coats" has provided over 2,200 winter clothing items to those less fortunate in the Toledo area.
According to Perry, the initiative began when she celebrated her 50th birthday six years ago. Her family
asked what she wanted for her birthday, which is Dec. 1, and she told them that she is blessed to have
everything that she could ever want or need in her life. For that reason, Perry told her family that she
wanted to help others and "Susie’s Coats" became a reality.
In addition to becoming a family affair, the "Susie’s Coats" initiative has spread to the
College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program in the last few years and involves Owens faculty and
students.
"I was once homeless as a child and on the receiving end of a red coat with shiny buttons,"
explained Perry. "I never forgot the generosity. I am honored, along with my family and the Owens
family, to pay it forward and help others who are in need of warm winter clothing."
Perry added, "It is really rewarding to see our students giving back to the communities that they
will one day serve. Sonography is a health career that involves working directly with patients and their
families and this program provides a great service learning experience."
Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bicentennial Hall Room 166 at the campus on Oregon
Road in Perrysburg Township.
All collected donations will then be delivered at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 1 and 8 by Owens faculty and students
at the corner of North Michigan and Adams streets in downtown Toledo from a trailer donated by
Harley-Davidson in Toledo. Owens representatives will be distributing items until 11:30 a.m. both days.
