Donations Sought for Afghan Refugees Arriving in New Jersey

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is providing drop-off locations for residents who wish to donate clothing, toiletries, and other items to Afghan interpreters, their families, and other refugees evacuated from Afghanistan who are being housed at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

“The refugees are seeking peace and security in America, as so many have done before them. Let’s all help ensure they feel safe and welcome,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Items for donation can be brought to the following locations at Union County facilities:

Elizabeth (two locations):

· Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza

· Social Service Building, 342 Westminster Avenue

Mountainside: Trailside Museum and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road

Plainfield: Social Services Building, 200 West 2nd Street

Scotch Plains: Union County Engineering Building, 2325 South Avenue

Westfield: Ralph J. Froehlich Public Safety Building, 400 North Avenue East

Please note that only new items will be accepted for donation. Suggested items include:

Children:

Diapers

Clothing

Formula

Baby bottles

Baby wipes

Soccer balls, blocks and other simple toys

Shoes

School supplies - pencils, crayons, notebooks, etc.

Families:

Bottled water

Men’s and women’s clothing (scarves and loose-fitting clothes for women)

Winter coats/jackets/gloves

Shoes

Feminine hygiene products

Wheelchairs, walker, canes

Towels

Laundry Detergent

Toiletries

Smart phones charging cables

Grooming kits

When dropping off items, face masks must be worn indoors in accordance with COVID-19 safety rules at Union County facilities.

For additional information on the Union County donation program for Afghan refugees, contact Nathalie Hernandez, Assistant Director, Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Union County Department of Human Services, at nhernandez@ucnj.org or 908-527-4880.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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