The Afghan Allies ministry at St. George’s is responding to the needs of refugees who arrive in Virginia with only the clothes on their backs. Thanks to the generosity of St. Georgians and community members like you, we have provided clothing and household essentials for families settling in our community.
You can always make a financial gift to support this important ministry by giving online here and selecting “Afghan Allies” from the funds dropdown. You can also send a check with “Afghan Allies” in the memo line to: P. O. Box 7127 · Fredericksburg, VA 22404.
This webpage is updated as new giving opportunities are available.
Update: April 28, 2022
The Work of Afghan Allies
By Cathy Barron
Thank you, St. Georgians! You have shown hospitality to some of our community’s newest neighbors, families who were evacuated from Afghanistan. Using your gifts of financial aid, furniture, and household supplies, Afghan Allies of St. George’s has helped settle five families into apartments and townhouses. We worked with Catholic Charities, the U.S. government appointed liaison in this area to supply the basic needs of these families — tables, chairs, lamps, beds, pots, dishes, sheets, towels — and welcoming smiles. That’s where your gifts came in.
However, often we had requests for additional items that would meet individuals’ needs. One woman requested a sewing machine and fabric because she and her family had fled with only the clothes they were wearing (as was often the case.) Another woman wanted fabric for curtains to soften the stark interior of her new home. One man needed a computer so that he could study English and look for a job. Children wanted toys (which St. George’s youth are helping to supply.) Occasionally our new neighbors talked about themselves and what they had left behind. More than one person was worried about relatives and friends left in Afghanistan.
And always they were thankful. We saw people run their hands delightedly over a new-to-them desk or table. In addition, they wanted to show hospitality to us. We were always invited to sit and share tea or juice with the families.
We in the group of St. Georgians who make up Afghan Allies are slowly finishing our work with the first five families, but we are told that additional families will need assistance in late April or May. We need planners, shoppers, and movers to help with those new families, and we invite you to contact us if you want to help. You can email us here. Also, in the future please look for our notices in the St. Georgian and continue signing up to help with our work.