So, it's WORLD REFUGEE DAY. What does that even mean, you may ask. It is a day set aside to at least remember and think about the 50 million displaced persons worldwide and more than 15 million refugees. 15 million. But there's more that you can do if you want. Here's some ideas.
1. Volunteer with a refugee organization in your neighborhood. Work with recently resettled refugees on language, culture or public transport! or volunteer to work in the office or to tutor a refugee or countless other things you could volunteer to do to help. Just ask!
2. Donate lightly used kitchenware or furniture or books to a local refugee agency. They are always in need to help new refugees get settled in their new home.
3. Give money to any number of refugee agencies: UNHCR, World Relief, Refugee One, Heartland, Catholic Charities etc. Or google and find your own smaller favorite (Contact me for mine!)
4. Attend an event today in your town to show your support of refugees.
5. Write your congresspeople to encourage them to continue funding refugee bills. Needed more than ever with Iraq and Syria.
6. Befriend a recently resettled person in your community. Help them get acclimated.
7. Or just be friendly and talk to someone who maybe speaks a different language or looks lost or sad or scared in your day today. Try to help someone in need with kindness today. That would be a great way to honor WRD.
No one ever expects to become a refugee. Ask three million Syrians. Anyone can become a refugee.
Add your own ideas how to help refugees in the comment section below.
1. Volunteer with a refugee organization in your neighborhood. Work with recently resettled refugees on language, culture or public transport! or volunteer to work in the office or to tutor a refugee or countless other things you could volunteer to do to help. Just ask!
2. Donate lightly used kitchenware or furniture or books to a local refugee agency. They are always in need to help new refugees get settled in their new home.
3. Give money to any number of refugee agencies: UNHCR, World Relief, Refugee One, Heartland, Catholic Charities etc. Or google and find your own smaller favorite (Contact me for mine!)
4. Attend an event today in your town to show your support of refugees.
5. Write your congresspeople to encourage them to continue funding refugee bills. Needed more than ever with Iraq and Syria.
6. Befriend a recently resettled person in your community. Help them get acclimated.
7. Or just be friendly and talk to someone who maybe speaks a different language or looks lost or sad or scared in your day today. Try to help someone in need with kindness today. That would be a great way to honor WRD.
No one ever expects to become a refugee. Ask three million Syrians. Anyone can become a refugee.
Add your own ideas how to help refugees in the comment section below.
My mom knits scarfs and hats in the winter and donates them to local orgs that in turn give them to refugees! Great idea, as many refugees come from warmer weather climates!
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