Meeting the Families

Several years ago there was a small clipping in the newspaper advertising a collection drive for refugee families being relocated to Salt Lake City.  I mentioned it to my friend Elizabeth Jarema.  Neither of us was aware that refugees were even brought to Salt Lake!  We decided to collect as many things as we could in our ward to add to the drive.  A trailer load of gently used items was collected and delivered.  Since that time, Elizabeth has served many refugee families, helping to collect not only vital necessities but providing friendship and hope.

Yesterday, Elizabeth and I met with 4 families living in Salt Lake.What a wonderful experience it was to sit in the homes of these families and hear their stories, learn their histories, and experience their culture and kindness.    One family has been in Utah for 2 days, others have been here for a couple of months.  All of the families are trying to learn English, looking for jobs, and trying to take it all in.  When Elizabeth first started working with  newly relocated families, they would arrive here with little or nothing and come to a sparse apartment.  As more and more people have been made aware of their plight, they are being provided with used furniture and other household items that make their lives better.  As we spoke with them, we found that there are still many things that they are in need of.  We have created an online sign up sheet for each family.  There are also 2 sheets for basic items to be given to families that have not yet arrived.   If you would like to donate new or gently used items to any of these families, click on the link to the sign up sheet, fill in your information (your information will be hidden) and then bring the items to our Women's Conference on March 17th.  If you won't be able to attend that day, you are welcome to drop your items off to a member of the Stake Relief Society Presidency any time before the 17th.

Marrianne