Support a New Neighbor 2021 Wrap Up!
The generosity of our donors overflowed from our donations room into our desks! We were surrounded by holiday gifts for our clients throughout December.
Each November, we launch our annual Support a New Neighbor program, which allows supporters the opportunity to provide refugee families with holiday gifts. After signing up to support a family and receiving their match, community members receive basic information including the family composition and specific requests from the family members. While we had 41 supporters officially sign up for the program, we know the number of people who came together to support these families is far higher. Many supporters single-handedly took on families, and others came together with their departments at work, their religious groups, their roommates, and more to brighten our families’ holiday seasons. Thanks to the generosity of the community, we were able to provide presents to every family that signed up for this program in 2021!
All 35 refugee families (137 individuals) who registered for Support a New Neighbor received holiday gifts from the community. Once all the gifts were dropped off by supporters, we raised over $15,000 in in-kind donations as holiday gifts. Gifts for our clients ranged from winter clothing to children’s toys to a tablet! Our office was overflowing with gifts thanks to the generosity of those involved in the program. This is a major accomplishment, and we truly thank every person who was involved in this program. The support of the community made the holidays significantly brighter for refugees in Columbus.
Delivering the gifts was a major highlight of December and January for our case managers. It is very special for our families to receive a present that was handpicked for them by a community member. The families were all delighted to receive these gifts and are extremely grateful for the kindness shown to them by the greater Columbus community.
If you are interested in participating in Support a New Neighbor 2022, stay tuned for more information by checking our website and social media! The flyer is expected to be published in November for this year’s upcoming program. In the meantime, if you are looking for other ways to get involved, reach out to volunteers@ustogether.us.