Elected leaders from Northern Virginia joined together to announce the launch of an aid program to collect new coats, blankets, socks, and gloves for refugees from Ukraine who have had to abandon their home due to the Russian invasion of their country.
“Fairfax County has joined the rest of the world in watching Putin’s invasion of Ukraine bring violence and war to millions of innocent people. Our residents don’t want to stand by – they want to help. As we uplift and offer support to our residents of Ukrainian descent here in the County, we can also aid in efforts abroad, sending much needed supplies to the millions of displaced Ukrainians taking refuge in Poland,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay.
The aid program was announced at the Fairfax County Government Center. Previously the region’s leaders joined together in 2013 to assist Syrian refugees who fled their homeland to Turkey. That year nearly 14 tons of blankets and coats were collected and distributed to the refugees.
“This year we are once again to be blessed to have the services of Paxton Moving to assist us in the logistics and shipping of the materials to Wilmington, North Carolina. From there a local company will be shipping the donations to Poland for distribution to refugees in Poland and to residents in Ukraine,” said Northern Virginia Regional Commission Chair Cydny A. Neville.
There are multiple locations for residents and businesses to drop off their donations. Donations for the following are being asked for:
- New/Gently Used Coats
- New Blankets
- New Pairs of Sweat Socks/Heavy Socks
- New Pairs of Gloves
For drop off location information please visit www.helpukrainenova.org.
Donations will be picked up on Monday, April 18.