Submitted by Gloria Donnelly, United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)
Considering our history, there is nothing more American than an immigrant. Ensuring that every immigrant has access to housing, food, medical/mental health services and community support is critical to a successful resettlement journey. Resettling to a new country can be very intimidating and overwhelming. Our role as community members is to welcome members to their new homes and create an environment of trust, dignity, and self-determination. The need is great.
USCRI and The Church in Aurora have partnered with the community to meet the needs of our new neighbors. A posting of immediate donation needs is listed below. Members may drop off urgently needed items at the Church in Aurora on Sept. 16, 2023, between noon and 4 p.m. in the parking lot.
Receipts for tax purposes will be available to donors at the drop off site. Donors will complete the receipts and a volunteer will email a photo of the receipt to USCRI. The donors will keep hard copies of the donor receipts.
Information about the work of USCRI or to donate money on-line is available at USCRI.org.
Any questions or concerns may be directed to Gloria Donnelly at [email protected].
Thank you for your giving spirit.
Below is a list of urgent needs. These items should be new or in excellent condition and must be clean.
Household Items
- sheet sets (twin/full)
- bathmats
- decorative pillows
- standard pillows (new only)
- lamps, bulbs
- televisions
- hangers
- comforters (twin/full)
- office supplies
- laundry baskets
- shopping carts
- mattress pads (twin/full)
- bath towels, wash cloths
- shower curtains, rings
Kitchen Items
- flatware sets
- glasses, mugs
- frying pans
- stock pots
- bakeware
- saucepans
- cutlery trays
- mixing, serving bowls can openers
- kitchen utensils
- cutting boards
- cookie sheets
- carving and steak knives
- potholders
- sponges (new) scissors kitchen towels
- coffee pots
- slow cookers
- tea kettles measuring cups/spoons
Cleaning Supplies
- dish soap
- cleaning spray
- paper towels
- laundry detergent
- tall kitchen trash cans
- small bathroom trash cans
- trash bags
- toilet bowl cleaners
- floor cleaners
- brooms/dustpans
- mops (new only)
- buckets paper towels
- toilet brushes (new only)
- kitchen wash cloths
Toiletries
- toilet paper
- shampoo/conditioner
- Q-tips (any size box)
- bar soap
- liquid hand soap
- toothpaste
- dental floss
- deodorant
- feminine pads
- facial tissue
- hairbrushes/combs
- shaving cream/razors nail clippers/files
- Band-Aids
Baby Items
- diapers (sizes 3, 4, 5, 6)
- baby wipes
- baby shampoo
- baby lotion
- baby totes/bag
- baby blankets
- receiving blanket burp cloths
- car seats
- changing tables
- strollers
- cribs
- crib sheets
- crib mattresses
- Pack-n-Play Cribs
Children
- booster seats
- soccer balls
- school bags
- lunch boxes
- Legos
- construction sets
- games
- puzzles
- baby dolls (diversity of hair and skin color)
- English learning that teaches Pre-K ABCs and math (for example, Scholastic Workbook available through Amazon)
