Event to raise dollars and awareness for refugees a huge success

By May 26, 2017 September 25th, 2023 News
Making Welcome Real, A Slow Food Russian River event to raise dollars and awareness for recent refugees at Heron Hall on Sunday, April 23, 2017

Making Welcome Real, our event to raise dollars and awareness for recent refugees at Heron Hall on Sunday, April 23, 2017 was a huge success.

Many thanks to the committee, all the volunteers, donors, and the Master Gardeners who created beautiful floral arrangements. A special thanks to our three chefs, Nawar Laham, owner of the East West restaurant in Santa Rosa, Meekk Shelef of the Sonoma Wine Shop, and Ali Akbar Raufi, an Afghan refugee chef assisted by his friend, Abdul, who all created a memorable Middle Eastern and Afghan feast.

We netted approximately $10,000 after expenses and our deliveries began in early May to Jewish Family Community Services East Bay. For their work with refugees, they received 7 children’s backpacks filled with art and school supplies and a $50 gift card, two Welcome Essential Boxes, which included bedding, kitchen essentials such as plates, glassware, silverware, cookware sets, silverware, mop, broom, dish cloths and towels, trash cans, etc. and a $50 gift card in each, seven electric kettles, seven crockpots and a rice cooker. We also delivered 3 smaller back packs, filled with supplies and a special stuffed animal for Ali Abdul’s children, who were able to attend the event.

To No One Left Behind East Bay, we delivered 12 security bike locks, and are working on getting them the gift cards requested for English as a Second Language workbooks

We’ve delivered bike helmets and security bike locks, electric kettles and pressure cookers to the International Refugee Committee East Bay and are still putting together our largest donation of gift cards valued at between $1400-1500 for their wonderful New Roots garden program.

We will be putting together more of the Home Essential boxes to be delivered in the coming weeks, as they are requested.

It has been gratifying receiving the many messages in appreciation from the organizations that we have been working with and are assured that the donations will be put to good use.

Much thanks to all who attended the event, bought some of the packages, and sent donations. We surpassed our financial goal and send our heartfelt gratitude to you.

Penny Fink
Sandy Mays
Marcia Levine
Susan Obuchowski

Making Welcome Real Committee

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