Adopt a Refugee Town?

[Pacifist Patriot]

A friend of mine lives in an area of Texas accommodating refugees from Louisiana. If I understand it correctly, her church is acting as a "command center/distribution center." They are helping with volunteer staffing for the 10 shelters in the area, working with the Red Cross and St. Vincent de Paul Society to distribute supplies to the shelters, and functioning as a check in center for refugees to be directed to a shelter.

She sent me a list of necessary items.

* Baby items (diapers, wipes, bottles, formula)
* t-shirts (adult and children)
* shorts (adult and children)
* undergarments
* toiletries
* non-perishable food
* gas cards in $20 denominations
* phone cards in $20 denominations
* Air mattresses
* Blankets, Bedding,Pillows
* Towels,Wash cloths
* Clothing detergent (individual load sizes)
* Personal Hygiene (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shave cream, feminine hygiene, etc.) -
If you have travel sizes that you've gotten from hotel rooms that you can make into ziploc baggie kits, this would be an excellent thing to contribute.
* Paper products (plates, napkins, towels, spoons, forks, knives, cups)
* Water, juice boxes

I emailed the list to my congregation, my homeschool support group and my husband's work yesterday around noon. By nightfall I had a packing company contact me and offer to ship at cost, my husband's HR director submitted a request to the GM to pay for shipping on the corporate account, countless people emailed that they were cleaning out their closets, travelers in my husband's company wanted to know if they should bring in all those shampoo and conditioner bottles they acquire on the road, an employee of a shipping company volunteered boxes and tape guns to pack the donations on Sunday afternoon. Today I am calling area pediatricians and hospitals to solicit formula donations. On Tuesday we will be shipping what we have collected. I feel like my town in Florida has adopted a town in Texas.

As I was watching this unfold yesterday it occurred to me that the nation's eyes are on the rescue efforts in New Orleans but I wasn't seeing much about the refugees who managed to evacuate but cannot return. Just a few days ago I was frustrated and feeling helpless because I was in no position to help being incredibly cash-strapped at the moment. I owe my friend a debt of gratitude for providing me with this opportunity to pitch in. I may not have cash, but I have clothing I don't really need, a computer to communicate with a large number of people in my community, a voice to ask for donations and a strong back to pack boxes.

I wonder if there is a way for similar efforts to be arranged around the country. Surely there are other areas of refugee centers that could use help. How do we identify a point of contact on both sides?

* Note: I do not advocate sending goods directly to the Red Cross. They are much better equipped to accept monetary donations and put the money to best use. Goods donations should be arranged on a more personal level like the one described above.

[jbnow]

1. That is such a great idea

I had to recommend this. A great idea.