Kindness and Generosity

I know that TulsaKids readers are generous and caring. As parents, we know that having children means sacrifice. It means that we are nurturing and loving. As you probably already know, Oklahoma soon will be welcoming hundreds of Afghan refugees to our state. Catholic Charities is the central organization facilitating volunteers, donations and other help. Many of you may be wondering how you can help these families as they enter a strange country with virtually nothing.

The Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry has compiled a list of needs as well as information about volunteering or donating cash. Volunteers will be needed for the following: Transportation; Welcome Committees; Donation sorting and cataloguing.

All the following information, including a link to provide monetary donations and where to sign up and get training to be a volunteer, may be found here: tmmtulsa.org/afghans.

Other Needs & Ways to Help

Below are the main areas of need:

Furniture – new or GENTLY used furniture will be needed to furnish homes.

Beds are highest priority, then chairs, tables, couches, lamps, etc.

ALL furniture donations should be registered with Catholic Charities at: http://refugeesok.com/afghan/

Additional items we are collecting:

• Phones, tablets – gently used or new
• Calling cards
• Adult Clothing (new or gently used, please)
  • Women – focus on long skirts, long loose trousers, long-sleeved blouses, long dresses, scarves
  • Men – focus on trousers, shirts, jackets
• PPE – face masks, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes and spray, hand soap
• Hygiene Products
  • Menstrual products, especially pads
  • Shower/bath products
  • Toothbrushes, toothpaste
  • Clean, new underclothes
• Baby Products
  • Diapers
  • Formula
  • Clothing
• Children’s Goods
  • Clothing
  • Toys, gently used/new
• Winter gear – adults and children (Beginning in October)

(these kinds of donations can be dropped off at the Fellowship Congregational UCC Office, 2900 S. Harvard Avenue, Monday through Thursday between the hours of 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, or by appointment.)

Email office@ucctulsa.org or call 918-747-7777 for more information: 

Special Needs:

If you are in the following fields, you may be uniquely equipped to provide vital services to our new friends:

• Medical – doctors, nurses, clinicians, particularly those who serve uninsured patients
• Mental Health Care – especially those with culturally relevant background/experiences, and/or experience in trauma
• Legal – lawyers, law students, legal support or professionals
• Education – teachers, whether active or retired; school administration, and especially those with ESL/ELL training
• Advocacy – particularly in the areas of disability rights, DV/SA protection, and public policy
• Housing – access to apartments, single-family homes, or duplexes capable of housing families (subsidies and/or other financial assistance may be available)
• Church or Community Center – access to a large space such as a gym or fellowship hall; use of a bus or van

If this sounds like you, send an email directly to aliye@tmmtulsa.org  to find out more about the opportunities in these areas.