What I Saw in a Syrian Refugee Camp - How You Can Help
All of us know the frustration of locking ourselves out of our homes and the anxiety it causes. Imagine having to flee your home with no expectation of when you will return if at all - that is what is occurring today and every day in Syria.
I was able to have a firsthand view of what is happening in this important region of the world and visited a Syrian refugee camp in Adana, Turkey some 120 miles from the Syrian border. In this camp there are approximately 12,000 folks with nearly 7,000 of them being children. There are nearly 1 million refugees that have made their way to Turkey. The Turkish government and people deserve great credit in all that they have done to help these folks.
As a parent I can tell you firsthand how heartbreaking the situation is.
During our visit I met a gentleman who fled Syria. He served his hometown for 17 years as a Policeman. In a little more than 100 square feet he, his wife and four children live in a tent. They cannot contact relatives remaining in Syria as they are afraid if they contact them their remaining family will be killed. They left their home with little more than what is on their backs and have no idea if they will be able to return if ever.
These folks need our help. With the onset of cold weather blankets are in desperate need. As such a number of my local government colleagues in Northern Virginia are organizing a blanket drive.
My request is simple, please drop off at Town Hall either new or gently used blankets. Please deliver them folded. Our goal is to fill a shipping container that will then be delivered to Turkey where a local relief agency (we met them on our trip) will distribute them to the refugee families. We ask that donations of blankets be made no later than Friday, December 6 (no later than Noon) to ensure they are delivered in time for the winter weather.
Those wishing to make a financial contribution to help purchase blankets can do so by clicking here.
I also ask that you share this request with neighbors, friends, your local PTO/PTA, your employer - anyone you feel would be willing to help. All of us joining together can make a positive difference in this world.
The greatness of our community and our nation has been the generosity of our neighbors and friends. I sincerely appreciate your consideration.
With many thanks.
As other drop off points are established, they will be listed on this post.
Loudoun County
Chairman Scott York has established drop off points at the following two County government locations:
County Government Center - 8:30AM to 5PM weekdays
1 Harrison St SE
Leesburg VA 20175
Sterling Offices of the Commission of the Revenue - 8:30AM to 5PM weekdays
21641 Ridgetop Cir
Suite 100
Sterling VA 20166
Our thanks to the ADAMS Center for their support of this effort
ADAMS Center - 8:30AM to 5PM - 7 days a week
46903 Sugarland Road
Sterling VA 20164
Fairfax County
8:30AM to 5PM Weekdays for all offices listed below:
Office of Chairman Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 530
Fairfax, VA 22035
Office of Mason District Supervisor Penelope A. Gross
Mason District Governmental Center
6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Office of Braddock District Supervisor John C. Cook
Kings Park Library
9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015
Office of Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust
McLean Governmental Center
6649-A Old Dominion Drive, Mclean, VA 22101
Office of Lee District Supervisor Jeffrey C. McKay
Lee District Governmental Center
6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310
Office of Mt. Vernon Supervisor Gerald W. Hyland
Mt. Vernon Governmental Center
2511 Parkers Lane, Mt, Vernon, VA 22306
Office of Springfield Supervisors Pat Herrity
Springfield Governmental Center
6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA 22152
Office of Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey
Sully District Governmental Center
4900 Stonecroft Boulevard
Chantilly, VA 20151
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| Children in the Adana Refugee Camp. |
As a parent I can tell you firsthand how heartbreaking the situation is.
During our visit I met a gentleman who fled Syria. He served his hometown for 17 years as a Policeman. In a little more than 100 square feet he, his wife and four children live in a tent. They cannot contact relatives remaining in Syria as they are afraid if they contact them their remaining family will be killed. They left their home with little more than what is on their backs and have no idea if they will be able to return if ever.
These folks need our help. With the onset of cold weather blankets are in desperate need. As such a number of my local government colleagues in Northern Virginia are organizing a blanket drive.
My request is simple, please drop off at Town Hall either new or gently used blankets. Please deliver them folded. Our goal is to fill a shipping container that will then be delivered to Turkey where a local relief agency (we met them on our trip) will distribute them to the refugee families. We ask that donations of blankets be made no later than Friday, December 6 (no later than Noon) to ensure they are delivered in time for the winter weather.
Those wishing to make a financial contribution to help purchase blankets can do so by clicking here.
I also ask that you share this request with neighbors, friends, your local PTO/PTA, your employer - anyone you feel would be willing to help. All of us joining together can make a positive difference in this world.
The greatness of our community and our nation has been the generosity of our neighbors and friends. I sincerely appreciate your consideration.
With many thanks.
As other drop off points are established, they will be listed on this post.
Loudoun County
Chairman Scott York has established drop off points at the following two County government locations:
County Government Center - 8:30AM to 5PM weekdays
1 Harrison St SE
Leesburg VA 20175
Sterling Offices of the Commission of the Revenue - 8:30AM to 5PM weekdays
21641 Ridgetop Cir
Suite 100
Sterling VA 20166
Our thanks to the ADAMS Center for their support of this effort
ADAMS Center - 8:30AM to 5PM - 7 days a week
46903 Sugarland Road
Sterling VA 20164
Fairfax County
8:30AM to 5PM Weekdays for all offices listed below:
Office of Chairman Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 530
Fairfax, VA 22035
Office of Mason District Supervisor Penelope A. Gross
Mason District Governmental Center
6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Office of Braddock District Supervisor John C. Cook
Kings Park Library
9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015
Office of Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust
McLean Governmental Center
6649-A Old Dominion Drive, Mclean, VA 22101
Office of Lee District Supervisor Jeffrey C. McKay
Lee District Governmental Center
6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310
Office of Mt. Vernon Supervisor Gerald W. Hyland
Mt. Vernon Governmental Center
2511 Parkers Lane, Mt, Vernon, VA 22306
Office of Springfield Supervisors Pat Herrity
Springfield Governmental Center
6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA 22152
Office of Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey
Sully District Governmental Center
4900 Stonecroft Boulevard
Chantilly, VA 20151
Office of Hunter Mill District Supervisor Catherine Hudgins
North County Governmental Center
12000 Bowman Town Drive
Reston, VA 20190
