[Archived] Alexandria Joins NVRC Syrian Refugee Blanket Drive

For Immediate Release: October 28, 2014

The City of Alexandria has joined the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) in a regional effort to collect blankets for refugees who have fled Syria and other countries for Turkey due to the violence in the Middle East. Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille, Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova, and Loudoun County Board Chairman Scott York are co-chairs for this year’s effort.

Last year, the Northern Virginia community collected nearly 18,000 blankets to help Syrian refugees in Turkey. Since that time, matters have only grown worse, with more than one million Syrian refugees living in Turkey alone. With further unrest in Iraq, the number of refugees entering Turkey is increasing.

This year’s blanket drive will take place from November 1 until noon on November 22.  The goal is to fill several shipping containers that will be sent to a local relief agency in Turkey, where they will be delivered to the refugee families. Those wishing to make donations are asked to drop off new or gently used blankets (cleaned and folded; no sheets, please) to one of the following City locations:

• City Hall
  301 King Street
  Market Square Lobby
  Weekdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Beatley Central Library
  5005 Duke Street
  Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Residents and businesses are urged to support this effort and encourage their neighbors, friends, community organizations, and others to help. “I have looked into the eyes of the families impacted by this tragedy and I know personally how much they are hurting after being violently displaced from their homes,” said Mayor Euille. “Every donation goes a long way in helping them achieve some peace in these very difficult circumstances.”