BENEFITING: CHARITY UNITED
THE STORY:
In November 2015 we foundedWinter Clothes for Refugeesto provide winter clothing to refugees as they passed through the Balkans while fleeing war-torn countries. Civilians and children fleeing war were exposed to the subzero temperatures of the Balkan winter, often without heat, shelter, proper clothing, or any way to obtain it.
Over the course of three months, we raised funds to purchase and distribute clothing and supplies to over 100,000 refugees. You can read the full story on the Huffington Post here.
As winter drew to an end, a new crisis unfolded. Political changes in Europe left tens of thousands of refugees, including thousands of babies and children, stranded in wilderness areas and sub-human camps throughout Europe; lacking necessities such as food, shelter, hygiene supplies, and the basics of survival.
We decided we were in it for the long haul. We would not sit by and watch while babies went hungry and children slept in flooded tents with muddy blankets.
We have now formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which accepts tax deductible donations. We continue delivering aid to civilians and refugees in need. Every donation received makes a difference in how many individuals we are able to help.
Donations made to this fundraiser will be used to provide aid on an ongoing basis to refugees fleeing war and danger, including those refugees who are currently stranded in wilderness areas and sub-human camps of SE Europe.
Original story, by Megan Tucker. December 2015:
I am currently in Macedonia working with an amazing group of local villagers who have banded together to help the thousands of refugees who cross the border into Serbia every day. We work throughout the night, as trains full of refugees arrive from the Greek border. We hand out food, blankets, and clothes. We help keep refugees warm with homemade fires, help dress the children in winter clothing, give directions, co-ordinate aide, and do whatever is possible to make their journey easier. The local volunteers work regular jobs during the day, and at night, after work, they go to the border and work all night doing anything they can to help. They have done this for months on end, often sleeping only a few hours per night. Though they themselves might earn about 250 Euros per month, they still pay their own toll and fuel costs to travel to the border every night with food and supplies. They are not funded by any official organization and they rely wholly on donations. Donations are used only for food, clothing, and essential items needed by refugees. You can read more about these men and the heroic actions they are taking at my article here: http://livingclean.com/unbelievable-acts-decency-extraordinary/ The volunteers currently do not have the funds needed to supply adequate winter clothing to the children and refugees. The weather has already gotten cold, and snow is coming very soon. Every day, several thousand refugees pour through, and hundreds of them are children. As they reach this part of Europe, the climate becomes extremely cold. In the middle of winter it can reach minus 20 Celsius (4 degrees Fahrenheit) with waist-high snow. The refugees, including very small children, must walk long distances in this weather with no access to proper shelter. If that sounds crazy, it’s because it is. They also sometimes must wait or sleep outside for long periods of time. Fortunately we are currently in a position to do something about it. I am collecting donations which will be used to purchase winter clothing and vital supplies for the refugees. The money will go directly to this purpose, no bureaucracy, no delays. The clothes are simply purchased, driven out to the border, and handed to the refugees. Photos and videos of distribution are posted on Facebook and I personally oversee all purchasing. All funds received are used for refugee aide. A coat can be purchase for about $5.35. Childrens hats or mittens – 30 cents. Scarves – $1.16. Adult gloves – 80 cents. Children’s thermal socks – 37 cents. What that means is literally that $5-$10 could save a life. If you are able to donate anything, large or small, it will be immensely appreciated. I think it is important that these people know that, regardless of all politics, Americans and people of all nations, are on their side.
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Legal disclosure: In order to maintain long-term operations and provide maximum aid, Charity United reserves the right to reallocate donated funds at it’s own discretion, in order to maximize humanitarian aid and to facilitate the accompishment of its charitable aims. Situations and needs can change with a moment’s notice, and maintaining this flexibility allows Charity United to provide more benefit to more people.
To learn more, and to view photos and videos, please visit WinterClothesforRefugees.com
ABOUT CHARITY UNITED
WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A BETTER WORLD
Themission of Charity Unitedis to align and support individuals, groups, and organizations who assist in the creation of a better world.
Winter is over but the refugee crisis has only begun
Dear friends and donors,
In November 2015 we set out with an enormous task – to provide winter clothing to tens of thousands of refugees as they passed through Macedonia, during the dark and cold winter nights, in their search for safety and a future home in Western Europe. With your incredible support, we have now raised over $106,000 and helped over 100,000 refugees during the winter of 2015-2016. Because of you, we were able to provide refugees with protection from the cold, and thus to prevent an incredible amount of human suffering, illness, and worse.
Today is the first day of spring. Winter has officially ended.
But as it appears, the refugee crisis has only begun.
Political changes over the past few weeks of March 2016 have taken their toll, leaving tens of thousands of refugees stranded in wilderness areas throughout SE Europe, facing conditions even more inhumane than what they faced this winter. They now need our help more than ever. Winter Clothes for Refugees
began as a grassroots movement. It has now evolved and expanded into a fully-fledged non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status:Charity United.
It is our intention to continue to help refugees for as long as they need our help. It is also our intention to expand into providing larger and more permanent solutions for refugees.
Our current aims are as follows:
1. On an immediate basis, our Macedonia team will continue to use any further donations received to provide aid (food, clothing, shoes, rain protection, and supplies) to refugees who are stranded in camps and wilderness areas on the Macedonian/Serbian border and on the Greek/Macedonian border. With tens of thousands of refugees currently in desperate need, lacking sufficient food, shelter, and even dry bedding or clothing, every donation makes a difference in the life of a civilian. If you are able to donate newly, or know someone who might be interested in donating, this will help us tremendously to continue to provide assistance to these people. Our team is making regular trips to both camps and is providing as much aid as donations allow.
2. In the coming future it is our aim to organize larger long-term projects to help the refugees of war. Our vision is to raise sufficient funds to help provide more permanent solutions. In particular we are focusing on refugee children and orphans who are in need of food, shelter, comfort, care, and an education.
We will continue to update you as our plans develop.
We thank you tremendously for the support you provided during the winter of 2015 and 2016. We thank you in advance if you are able to continue to help with more forward progress and more permanent solutions.
Here’s to a better year for all of mankind.
Megan Tucker
Founder of Winter Clothes for RefugeesandCharity United
To learn more, or to donate, please visithttps://www.crowdrise.com/winter-clothes-for-refugees
In November 2015 we founded Winter Clothes for Refugees to provide winter clothing to refugees as they passed through the Balkans while fleeing war-torn countries.
See Campaign: https://www.crowdrise.com/winter-clothes-for-refugees/fundraiser
Contact Information:
CHARITY UNITED’S FUNDRAISER
Tags:
Crowdrise, News Category, Crowdfunding, English, Reward-Donation, Civil Society, Language
The post CHARITY UNITED REFUGEE AID: Our mission is to align and support individuals, groups, and organizations who assist in the creation of a better world appeared first on iCrowdNewswire.
Source: icnw