FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Several leaders from across Northern Virginia announced a plan to gather needed clothing and supplies for Ukrainian refugees.
Starting on March 23, residents and businesses from around the region can donate new and gently used coats, and new blankets, socks and gloves for refugees from Ukraine who have had to abandon their homes due to the Russian invasion. There are a total of 34 drop-off locations throughout Northern Virginia. Donations can be made until April 15.
"We are all coming together as a region because we are all horrified at what’s going on in Ukraine right now," said Arlington Supervisor Libby Garvey at a press event Wednesday. "We all feel like we have to do something."
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than three million residents of Ukraine have fled their country due to the Russian invasion. More than two million have arrived in neighboring Poland.
Leaders from Fairfax, Arlington, Manassas, Falls Church and elsewhere in Northern Virginia spoke about the importance of the clothing drive.
"Thoughts and prayers are great and needed, but putting actions behind those thoughts and prayers, that's where we show up best," Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger said.
WUSA9 spent Wednesday afternoon shopping for a cause and filling up our cart with coats, hats, gloves, and socks for the people of Ukraine who have fled their war-torn homeland for safety in neighboring countries.
“We know that there is so much out of our control and that is troubling when we watch the news of the atrocities happening in Ukraine, but we also know there are some things within our control,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay.
Chairman McKay said every item collected will be shipped overseas for free thanks to local companies like Paxton Van Lines of Springfield and that all charities that receive the items have been fully vetted.
So, your gift goes from the donation box to the refugee; hopefully adding a little warmth and light in very cold and dark days ahead.
“Every penny of what they spend on donations literally gets into the hands of the people who need them,” said Chairman McKay.
Officials said they are working with Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a North Carolina shipping company to ship the items at no cost.
In the past the residents and businesses of Northern Virginia have been generous to those people in need. In 2013 the region donated nearly 14 tons of blankets and coats to Syrian refugees who fled to Turkey as the result of violence in their home country.
For more information and to find a drop-off location, click here.
