JAN 22 - LIST IS UPDATED 2/6/2022 - 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.
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 5 pillows and pillow cases
Electric alarm clock (can be used as long as it works) - GIVEN
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 2 bottles
Bathroom/kitchen cleanser (like Comet) - GIVEN 1 container of comet
Liquid All-Purpose Cleaner like Fabuloso or Lysol
Powder laundry detergent
Sponges - GIVEN
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
Bucket - GIVEN
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) - GIVEN
One set of sharp knives (new) - GIVEN
Cutting board - GIVEN
Dish towel (new) - GIVEN
Two batteries for smoke alarm (new)
Sponges - - GIVEN
Scouring pads (new)
Can opener non electric - GIVEN
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 - GIVEN
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!)
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!
