Locals donate supplies for Syrian refugees

Syrian refugees inside Turkish camps will receive much needed supplies and necessities to help them through the upcoming cold winter months. Truckloads of clothing, bedding, hats, coats, boots, shoes and much more were collected by local area churches and organizations, including the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware, Epworth United Methodist Church, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, the New Life Thrift Shop and the Progressive Democrats of Sussex County. The local donations were part of a statewide effort coordinated by Nora and John Whisnant with the Palestine Children's Relief Fund to fill a 40-foot shipping container with supplies for the refugees.

Don Peterson, UUSD's Social and Environmental Justice chair, said, "It was heartwarming to see our sanctuary packed to the brim with huge bags of donated supplies for the Syrian refugees. The generosity of our local community is simply amazing." UUSD served as a drop off point for the many donations collected from the greater Rehoboth Beach/Lewes surrounding area, and also as one of the two pick-up sites in Sussex County. Congregation members and friends worked hard to sort, label and pack up over 130 boxes that were sent to the Syrian refugees. For more information about the donation effort, go to www.uussd.org or contact Don Peterson at SocialJustice@uussd.org.