The Salvation Army of Sarasota County host 60 refugees from Afghanistan for resettlement in Sarasota
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
via the Salvation Army FB posting
On Tuesday, February 15th our Sarasota Center for Worship and Service hosted 60 refugees from Afghanistan that recently resettled in Sarasota. When Corps Officers Sandra and Ashish Pawar discovered that Lutheran Services Florida were helping 100 refugees with just one case worker, they offered to help.
Our CWS provided space for the MCR Vision Bus to do screenings, They collaborated efforts with Temple Emanu-El, St Boniface Episcopal Church, and the Islamic Society of Sarasota and Bradenton to assist the families. An employee from our Divisional headquarters, Farzad Farzam came down to translate.
Members of the CWS congregation and community center donated luggage and backpacks for the families. A member of the congregation also provided haircuts.
There were children’s toys, carseats, strollers carriers, clothing and shoes given as needed.
Food and hygiene products were given out as well as clothing vouchers. The Pawar’s will be taking the families by bus to our Venice Family Store to use their vouchers for clothing. There are bicycles that have been repaired and rejuvenated by our own “Bike Angels” volunteer group and those will be delivered to the families that have no transportation but have acquired employment.
This day was a blessing to many and there will be more mobile clinics scheduled next week. Capt. Ashish Pawar has already set up a cricket lesson with the men on Saturday to enjoy some fellowship!
The photos have been blurred to protect the anonymity of the families.