STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern student-athletes have been working hard over the past several months to raise money and donate materials to victims of the recent hurricanes that affected Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.

Athletes collected over 1,500 items for victims of Hurricane Irma that were then distributed in Glynn County. Bins and designated drop-off areas were placed in different areas around campus and athletes attended home sporting events to collect the materials.

The items were collected over the course of 10 separate events and were donated to Safe Harbour. Soaps, canned foods, bottled water, toiletries, and a variety of other items were donated.

Victims of Hurricane Harvey were also helped as athletes collected $1,000 during one event. Money and materials were donated to Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, Texas, to aid victims. That check was presented to the athletics department at Saturday's game against Georgia State and will be donated this week.

The Georgia Southern men's basketball team also played in a charity exhibition game last Friday against Augusta. All proceeds from the game were donated to the American Red Cross to assist those who have been affected by the hurricane that hit Puerto Rico.

The athletic department would like to thank Statesboro Transfer & Storage Inc., and Bestway Portable Storage for donating the use of two portable units to house the donations until they were shipped to the relief areas.