‘We are seeing a tripling of need’: 6 positive stories happening in Middle Georgia

During the coronavirus pandemic, Middle Georgia has witnessed several members of its community step up to help out in any way they can.

Organizations are making face shields and vaccines, and medical professionals can receive free coffee from five different stores this week.

Here is a list of the positive stories that have happened in Middle Georgia.

Mercer faculty researches vaccine for COVID-19

Mercer University College of Pharmacy faculty member Martin D’Souza started research into designing a microparticle vaccine for COVID-19, according to a news release.

D’Souza has created nanovaccines for infectious diseases and cancer before, and he uses nanoparticles and microparticles to deliver medicines and vaccines.

“The advantage of putting a vaccine in a microparticle is that it looks even more foreign to the body,” D’Souza said in the release. “Therefore, the body creates an even stronger immune response.”

Robins SPARK Innovation Hub creates face shields

The Robins SPARK Innovation Hub at Robins Air Force Base created face shields for medical professionals on the base who are fighting the new coronavirus, according to a news release.

“As part of an innovation ecosystem, we can attack any challenge by combining ideas with others,” said Innovation Chief Lt. Col. Jay Vizcarra, assigned to the 461st Air Control Wing, in the release. “First, we were able to design, produce, and deliver face shields to our base medical professionals who are at war with COVID-19.”

The team are planning to produce face masks next, and they are partnering with multiple organizations to gain expertise, according to the release.

Middle Georgia Community Food Bank feeds around 800 families

The line to receive meals from the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank backed up traffic around the Macon Coliseum for hours Thursday as the food bank distributed around 30,000 meals to families in need, according to a Telegraph article.

“We are seeing a tripling of need at our food pantries,” community volunteer Jeff Battcher said. “We’re seeing just a tremendous increase in need and today is just no different from every day.”

Read the full article about food distribution at www.macon.com/news/coronavirus/article241881931.

Blood drives in Houston County

Houston Healthcare and Central Georgia Technical College are sponsoring a blood drive for the American Red Cross throughout April, according to a news release.

Due to the coronavirus, the United States is facing a blood shortage. Donating blood is considered an essential activity under Gov. Brian Kemp’s shelter-in-place order.

The blood drives will be held on CGTC’s campus at 80 Cohen Walker Drive in Warner Robins, and they will be held 12-5 p.m. April 8, 15, 17, 23, 28 and 29, according to the release. To register for the blood drive, visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter your ZIP code.

Medical professionals receive free coffee

Middle Georgia area Dunkin’ restaurants, the baked goods and coffee chain, are offering medical professionals and first responders a free medium coffee from April 13-19, said Lou Patel, the owner of five Dunkin’ restaurants, in an email.

Medical professionals and first responders will need an employee identification badge to show the cashier to receive their coffee.

Here are the addresses to the stores offering the promotion.

• 121 Tom Hill Sr. Blvd., Macon

• 1068 Gray Highway, Macon

• 860 Forsyth St., Macon

• 3111 Watson Blvd., Warner Robins

• 866 Highway 96, Suite 101, Warner Robins

Macon bartender reads ‘Harry Potter’ on Facebook Live

Jamie Helms, a bartender in downtown Macon, goes live every night at midnight to read “Harry Potter” books to anyone who wants to listen, according to a Telegraph article.

“It has been really really strange but in a good way. I know every time I hit the live button, people are going to be watching me. I am a performer. I am an entertainer. I love that,” Helms said. “That first night we ended up going around the world, having people from Australia and Canada I know drop in. We had over 3,000 views.”

Helms started taking tips for the readings, which has allowed him to support downtown businesses and feed around 12 families in the Middle Georgia area through a food bank.

Read the full article about Helms at www.macon.com/positively/article241808561.