From Veterans Healing Farm:
In January and February of 2022, the greater Asheville area will become part of history as we welcome Afghans into our community who were part of the evacuation from Kabul this past September. Over several weeks, almost 100 individuals will arrive here, sponsored by Lutheran Services of the Carolinas Refugee and Immigrant Services. While LSC has been resettling refugees since the 1970s, the WNC office just opened in late December to participate in the Afghan Placement and Assistance (APA) program which was launched by the U.S. State Department in September 2021, following the largest non-combatant evacuation in American military history.
There are many ways to help with the resettlement efforts but one immediate need is for winter clothing. Coats, hats, sweaters, and gloves will all be needed. Thirty of the arrivals will be under the age of 10 and another dozen will be 10-16. These children, along with around 50 adults will arrive at the Asheville Airport in immediate need of a winter clothing. We won’t know people’s actual sizes until they arrive, so we are accepting a large variety of sizes. Any coats that can’t be used will be shared with other nonprofits in town that can make use of them. Also, towels, blankets, sheets, pillows, and gift cards from Ingles, Walmart, and Target would be very helpful with food and household utensils.
To help in this effort, the Veterans Healing Farm (VHF) will be holding a Winter Clothes drive on Saturday, January 15, and Sunday, January 16 at the VHF located at 38 Yale Road, Hendersonville. Please drop off any winter clothes, toiletries, and gift cards at the Farm between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Alan Yeck at director@veteranshealingfarm.org. To learn of other ways to get involved with the arriving Afghans, please contact the Lutheran Services of the Carolinas Refugee and Immigrant Services Area Manager, Laura Collins, at lcollins@lscarolinas.net.
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