Holy Family Hosting Drive To Collect Items For Refugees

Holy Family Catholic Community is hosting a sprint-paced drive to collect items for Afghan refugees who are awaiting relocation at Fort McCoy in northern Wisconsin.

Over the past few weeks, thousands of Afghan men, women, and children have fled Afghanistan as the country experiences political collapse. As they await relocation throughout the United States, as many as 10,000 refugees may arrive at Fort McCoy in northern Wisconsin, according to the Department of Defense. Nearly 3,000 have already done so, coming with few possessions to begin this new chapter of life.

To help them through this traumatic time and as they transition, Holy Family Catholic Community is asking for the community’s help to collect items needed for life at Fort McCoy and beyond. This list of items was compiled with the help of a contact at Fort McCoy who has seen the needs of the refugees.

Items needed include: gently used/new clothes for adults and children (small-large), shoes, winter items (coats, boots, hats, mittens, scarves), soccer balls, four square balls, bubbles, wiffle balls/bats, baseballs, bats, jump ropes, coloring books, crayons, sidewalk chalk, puzzles, stuffed animals, pens/colored pencils, construction paper, watercolor paints, sketchpads, chess/checkers/Connect Four, activity books like sudoku, and other easy-to-play items for children.

“As members of Holy Family Catholic Community, our faith guides us to help people whenever we can, particularly those who are struggling. Our Afghan brothers and sisters are in desperate need as they navigate this difficult and tragic situation, and start their lives anew. This drive is our way of reaching out a hand in support so they know they are not standing alone,” Holy Family Catholic Community Pastor Fr. Ryan J Pruess said.

The goal is to get items collected and do so quickly so they can get into the hands of those who needed them as fast as possible. The fast-paced drive will take place through September 13 and items will be delivered on September 15.  

All donations can be dropped off at Holy Family Church and the Holy Family Parish Office, 271 Fourth Street Way. The Parish Office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to noon on Friday. It is not open on Labor Day.

For any questions about Holy Family Catholic Community’s drive, please contact the Parish Office at (920) 921-0580.