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Recap of Covid on Grand Island

Another in a string of very good morning 'Zoom' meetings for Grand Island Rotary! Member Brian Graham drew on information he picked up from our Erie County and school sources to present an informative review of where we were and are now, on Covid infections in the Grand Island community. A bit frightening and sad, but we are getting thru. The school system in particular seems to be making progress with advancing education process despite Covid student and staff illness and absence. After the Covid review presentation, we all heard the details of a solid push for donations toward helping Journey's End settle and equip an Afghan refugee family to live in Buffalo. The details of what are needed are in the story just below this one on the web site!

Collection of Household Items Needed for Afghan Evacuees

JAN 22 - LIST IS UPDATED - REMEMBER THIS IS FOR A FAMiLY OF 5

Your help is needed to help those who have helped us and are in the US with only what they could carry with them. The Grand Island Rotary, as well as other organizations in Western New York, are assisting Journey’s End and three other local agencies, who are in the process of resettling 335 Afghan refugees. These refugees will be making Buffalo their new home. They will account for more than one third of those coming to New York State in the resettlement of Afghan Refugees who were air lifted from Afghanistan in the final days of the war. They are currently housed in college housing.

Andy Cammarata from Journey’s End, said these refugees will not be receiving much government assistance in stocking their living spaces with the bare essentials. Therefore, she explained, WNY agencies need to bridge the transition from leaving with the clothing on their backs to setting up homes here along with funds for legal expenses. Cammarata requested the Rotary Club of Grand Island join in the effort by collecting items the State department require in the “Welcome kit for resettlement” (see list below).

The Rotary club on behalf of Journey’s End is asking Grand Island residents to help in this endeavor by contributing items from the list of items making up the “Welcome Kit”, which are more specifically set forth in the list as shown herein. Use the QR Code to pull up list of items to print out.

Items may be dropped off at the Grand Island Memorial Library during their operating hours.

You can also DONATE directly to the Resettlement fundraiser- https://www.wnyrac.org Or you can arrange a cash donation to the Rotary collection and we will purchase items we need to complete a welcome kit.

If you have any questions. Please call either Sherry Miller at 716-417-4937 or email her at smiller04it@yahoo.com. Or Call Richard Earne at 716-773-6346 or email enrae.richard@gmail.com Identify yourself and what you can contribute.

QR CODE FOR ITEMS LIST -

WELCOME KIT (Plan on family of 5. Many items can be purchased from the Dollar Store or Dollar Tree)

Changes: These are items that have been donated as of 1-20-2022, please keep this in mind in deciding what you wish to donate. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS BASED ONLY ON ITEMS LEFT AT THE GRAND ISLAND MEMORIAL LIBRARY (“GIML”), IF YOU HAVE DONATED AN ITEM THAT WAS NOT DROPPED OFF AT THE GIML PLEASE LET Dick Earne know at 716-773-6346 what the items are and where they are.

On the Required List that We Must Provide by US Law:

Linen and Other Household Supplies

One bath towel and one wash cloth per person (new) - GIVEN set of 8, also 24 wash clothes

One set of sheets per bed (Single set for children or single adults, or full/queen for 2 parents – we are in need of more single sets than full/queen sets) (new)

- GIVEN set of 5 twin sets with pillow cases, 2 extra cases

Appropriate seasonal blankets (preferably new – used must be clean, gently used, no tears, no pets or smokers!) for each bed (light blanket for late spring/summer; comforter for fall/winter, or preferably both)

One pillow and pillowcase for each person (Pillows need to be new and pillowcases preferably new – please check for bedbugs!) - GIVEN 3 pillows no pillow cases but pack of 2 pillow covers

Electric alarm clock (can be used as long as it works)

~~Notebook, pens and/or~~ pencils (one new set, and a cheap composition book or legal pad from Dollar Store is fine) - GIVEN pack of 6 notebooks, pack of 26 pens

Two Lamps and package of new light bulbs (Lamps can be used as long as in excellent working condition and no loose parts)

Shower Curtain and Shower Liner and hooks (new)

Hangers for closet (new)

Cleaning Supplies (should all be new and in original packaging – Dollar Stores are great for some of these items, if people don’t have in their pantries at hom. Multiples of cleaning items like liquid all-purpose cleaner and dish soap and sponges, are most welcome!)

Dish Soap - GIVEN 1 bottle

Bathroom/kitchen cleanser (like Comet) - GIVEN 1 container of comet

Liquid All-Purpose Cleaner like Fabuloso or Lysol

Powder laundry detergent

Sponges

Big package of paper towel

Two wastebaskets (one for kitchen, small one for bathroom)

Box of big trash bags

Broom w/dustpan for broom and/or Mop w/bucket

Toilet Brush

Kitchen Items (most can be gently used but clean and not chipped)

One place setting of tableware per person (fork, knife and spoon) - GIVEN tableware 8 place settings

One place setting of dishes (plate, bowl and coffee/tea cup) per person (these do not have to match as long as they are not chipped!) - GIVEN pack of 4 and 4 plastic dinner plates; Complete set of 6 dishes & bowls

At least one drinking glass per person (no chips and clean – no plastic cups, wine glasses or beer mugs) - GIVEN 4 plastic glasses (new) also 8 coffee mugs

Pots and pans (at least one sauce pan, frying pan and baking dish – no old Teflon or heavily used or scratched ones – new is very much preferred) - GIVEN 1 large skillet(new), package of 3 frying pans various sizes, new set of corning ware

Large pot for making soup, stews for bigger family - GIVEN 1- 8qt (new)

Mixing/serving bowls (no chips, do not have to match)

One set of kitchen/cooking utensils (new very much preferred)

One set of sharp knives (new)

Cutting board

Dish towel (new)

Two batteries for smoke alarm (new)

Scouring pads (new)

Can opener non electric

GIVEN 8 mason jars, 100 piece of plastic containers and lids for storage and lids for refrig, 8 storage containers various sizes, multiple tupperware containers for storage and microwave heating, 9 aluminum roasting pans

Toiletries (only in original packaging and new, and family-size please. Multiples of toiletries are most welcome!)

Large package (or more) of toilet paper

One bottle shampoo (or more) - GIVEN 1

Two bathroom soaps (one for sink and one for shower), per person - GIVEN 5

Toothpaste - GIVEN 4 large tubes

One toothbrush per person - GIVEN box of 4

Hand and body lotion – family size

Deodorant (number based on size of family – for example, if there are three, then provide three deodorant sticks)

Box of sanitary napkins, for teens and young women (No Tampons!)

2 Boxes of Kleenex min. - GIVEN 3 boxes

Basic first aid kit

Disposable razors - GIVEN woman’s pack of 9 disposables

Shaving cream

Hand sanitizer - GIVEN 6 small

/facemasks/ - GIVEN box of 50

disinfectant wipes for kitchen/bathroom (if you can find them!) - GIVEN 3 packages-50, 70, 75 , Hand soap liquid 2 small bottles; 4 Large sanitizer wipe canisters

Helpful Items NOT On Required List, but if you have them lying around and are in clean/good/working condition or new, would be wonderful additions.

Small microwave (new is best; but will take used if clean and in good working condition) – GIVEN Microwave (used in good condition)

Extension Cord

Dictionary

Electric Fan (if possible, several box fans for bedrooms)

City map

Extra alarm clock

Iron/ironing board

Basic tool box

Tea Kettle (no instant coffee makers) - GIVEN 2 tea kettles (used)

Working toaster oven (used and clean is fine)

Radio

Umbrella(s)

Family-sized rice cooker (clean and in excellent condition, if used – all our families use rice in cuisine) - GIVEN 1-6 cup rice cooker (new)

Large soup pot

Colander/strainer (new)

Plastic wrap and foil (new)

Small bins for rice, tea, and sugar (so critters can’t get at them)

Grocery Gift Card to PriceRite, SaveALot, or Tops (any amount helps!)

Please email enrae.richard@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns.

All items on this list can be dropped off at the Grand Island Memorial Library c/o GI Rotary

THANK YOU for this precious gift to a new refugee family!