How Snowboarders Can Give Back Amid The Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

If you’ve been de-cluttering your gear closets in the extended off-season, your old winter accessories (specifically goggles) can help those in need. Goggles for Docs is accepting donations now and does exactly what its name says. The organization collects PPE donation requests and goggles and gets them to the hospitals and healthcare workers who need them.

Goggles for Docs started as a grassroots effort on the East Coast to help healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients in March 2020. More skiers and snowboarders pitched in, and it spread across the country. More than 45,000 goggles have been donated, but lately donations have dwindled.

All goggles go directly to hospitals and healthcare workers who have specifically requested assistance. The goggles, both used and new, offer much-needed eye protection for healthcare workers as they treat COVID-19 patients.

Hundreds of volunteers stepped up to help the goggles get from storage to healthcare workers in need, along with businesses serving as drop-off locations. As the virus continues to spread, your goggles can help healthcare workers fight on the front lines.

How to help Goggles for Docs:

1. Donate your goggles: On the Goggles for docs website, select a hospital and fill out your information, including the number of goggles. Prepare the goggles for donation by following these guidelines before mailing them directly to the hospital or bring them to one of the drop-off locations in your area.
2. Spread the word: As COVID-19 moves through each region, more and more goggles will be needed so tell your boarding buddies what you’re doing and encourage them to donate.
3. Become a drop-off spot: To sign up your business or location as a drop-off spot, first read over these guidelines (or watch this video) and then click here to become a drop-off location.
4. Volunteer near your home: If you’d like to help coordinate the collection and distribution of goggles in your area, click here to learn more.
5. Request goggles for your hospital: Fill out this form (with approval from an authority inside your hospital or clinic) to request goggles.

Every pair of goggles helps doctors, nurses, and hospitals in need. It’s one small way snowboarders (and skiers) can help fight the novel coronavirus pandemic and make the 20/21 ski season safe.