What started with a few friendly neighborhood emails exploded into enormous generosity…and by all accounts a project that created a warm welcome to the refugees at Fort McCoy. After two U Haul truckloads (thanks to Open Doors for Refugees for securing the trucks!) and at least 5 car loads…the porch and garage are finally empty and the last load has been delivered. We were able to briefly tour the sewing rooms which THANKS TO ALL OF YOU are filled with sewing machines, fabric, and lots of buttons, zippers, thread and scissors. The women we were able to speak with were excited to be able to create beautiful things for their families. The children…in that universal gesture of warmth….ran to hug us.
Some of you we know, and some of you just found your way to the porch. Some of you are from near Madison and some donations came from other parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. And, there are some folks who left donations but not an email, so if you know of them, please forward this.
To ALL of you…THANK YOU for your thoughtful generosity. Every remnant, bolt, button and spool mattered. It really did take a village here…and we believe we helped, in a small but meaningful way, to lighten the burden of these new arrivals to Wisconsin that have journeyed so far.
Connie McElrone
Cynthia Hirsch
Betsy Abramson
Nan Youngerman
Gail JacobSherie Sondel