“Pastor Stanish, Syrian people need more blankets! … this winter, very cold for Syrians in America,” was what I heard when I answered the phone of CFNA’s Arabic community facilitator. This plea was heard in the last week of November, 2016.

Clearly, our Syrian New American friends were facing an urgent need for something the Christian believers could help provide. Shortly thereafter, an appeal went out to the Lutheran community in the St. Louis area for blankets. The response was both immediate and generous. More than 200 blankets were received from several congregations including Ascension, Concordia-Kirkwood, Trinity-Kirkwood, Webster Gardens, Salem (winter coats), and Timothy, and numerous other individuals.

Those most desperately in need of blankets and warm clothing received them right away. The remainder were distributed a few days later during a Christmas party for Muslim women, organized by Heart to Heart Sisters, held at the Peace Center and generously supported by Christ Memorial Lutheran Church.

In addition to blankets and warm clothing, the approximately 40 Syrian and Afghan women who participated in this event also received gift packages, compliments of CFNA. All of this was received with expressions of heartfelt thanks. “Blankets very good … now good sleep for children and all,” said one Syrian lady, now able to keep her family of seven warm during these winter months.

CFNA offers its sincere thanks to all the congregations and individuals who shared the love of Christ in this way with our Syrian and Afghan friends in need.

By Rev. Stanish Stanley (Christ Memorial) with Carol Buckman (Concordia, Kirkwood)

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Blankets For Refugees