Moved by Syrian refugees’ woes, U.S. mayors initiate blanket drive


Date posted: December 14, 2013

ALİ H. ASLAN

The conditions the Syrian refugees in Adana refugee camp are in deeply moved the U.S. mayors on an intercultural trip to Turkey. They have collected over 10 thousand blankets through the drive they kicked off once back home.

American Turkish Friendship Association (ATFA), active in Washington, D.C. had earlier taken a group of the U.S. mayors to Turkey for a study and intercultural trip, in late October. The local leaders from Northern Virginia, populated by 2.5 million, were moved by the gut-wrenching scenes in the Adana refugee camp so much so that they immediately rolled up the sleeves upon their arrival back in the country. They mobilized their offices to make it a large-scale campaign that would achieve over 10 thousand blankets along with 10 thousand dollar of monetary donation. Mark Gibb of Northern Virginia Regional Commission explained the motive: “We met a Syrian, who had been a police officer for 17 years, living in a cramped room. We asked how we can help him. And he replied: “Just send some blankets, it’s getting colder.””

Numerous NGOs representing a wide range of social communities contributed to the campaign under the leadership of Fairfax, Loudoun, and Purcellville mayoral offices. Districts’ federal and state officials were as well informed on and gave their support to the campaign. The local Turkish-run institutions mobilized a large number of volunteers. The campaign gained huge publicity through flyers and news on local media. The donations have been stored at facilities of state offices, schools and places of worship.

Mayor of Fairfax -home to one of the most prosperous and educated population of the nation-Sharon Bulavo, had earlier encouraged his locals to donate via a message on the office’s official website, on November 19. The office is bursting at the seams due to donations, he reported. Bulavo the other day was in Latter-Day Saints Church, one of the facilities used to pack the donations. He put on a Hizmet Relief vest and joined the campaign volunteers. Loudoun Mayor, Scott York, alike sweated over at the embarking facility in Sterling. He personally packed the shipping and loaded it to the truck.

Another initiator of the campaign is Purcellville Mayor, Robert Lazaro. In his address to the Turkish and American volunteers joining their hands at the facility, Lazaro referred to their visit to the refugees in Adana camp as the most humbling experience of his life. He further hailed the Turkish government’s and people’s aid efforts.

The New Jersey-based Hizmet Relief, in cooperation with Kimse Yok Mu Foundation, took the lead in the campaign. The foundation’s website has been used to receive monetary donations. The overall donations will be delivered to Norfolk port by Paxton Company at no charge. Sean Connaughton, Secretary of Transportation of Virginia, who had attended the ATFA’s trip, is also contributing to transportation. The world-famous Maersk is sponsoring the shipment to Mersin port. The mayors intend to greet the shipping to depart from the US on December 18, at Mersin port and personally deliver it to those in need. Kimse Yok Mu is in charge of the final transportation phase. Adana businessmen as well are reported to be involved in the delivery.

In addition to Adana, the American delegation including Coles Mayor, Martin Nohe; and Alexandria Mayor, William Euille as well had been to Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara and Cappadocia and met with their counterparts. The visitors were impressed by the hospitality, food, natural attractions and historical sites; President of Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations (MAFTAA), Mahmut Yeter, and Pinnacle Academy Principal, Mustafa Akpinar, both reported. Yet, the most striking and touching part was in Adana, Yeter said.

Source: Hizmet Movement , December 14, 2013


Related News

US, Turkish charities hold blanket drive

In a joint campaign, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC), the American Turkish Friendship Association (AFTA) and Embrace Relief held a blanket drive for Syrian and Iraqi refugees in the US on Thursday and collected 25,000 blankets, which will soon be shipped to Turkey.

Turkish Charity in Virginia send 30 thousand blankets to Syrian refugees

Organizing an aid campaign in USA’s Virginia state, Turkey’s Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anybody There?) charity association managed to collect 30 thousand blankets and USD 70,000 for Syrian refugees in Turkey.

Prof. Nanda: Extraditing Fethullah Gulen to Turkey would erode the rule of law

Turkey’s strategic importance cannot be overestimated. However, Erdogan’s personal friendship with Trump alone cannot resolve the difficulties. Even if Trump may be willing to find a way to extradite Gulen or find another country to accept him in order to placate a NATO partner for geopolitical reasons, he must not. The damage to the rule of law would outweigh any benefit Trump hopes to gain from such an action.

Statement on Erdogan Government’s shameful action against Fethullah Gulen

Mr. Fethullah Gulen for his decades of selfless service in peacefully promoting democracy, education and dialogue, Erdogan government is using false charges to oppress and harass its own people.

Education minister in Jamaica joins Kimse Yok Mu to feed needy

The humanitarian relief organization Kimse Yok Mu Foundation extended a helping hand to the needy in the Central American country Jamaica. The donations arrived in the country located in the Caribbean Sea after a long flight from Turkey.

‘Hizmet Movement and Fethullah Gulen inspire uniting people around spiritual ideals’

“The Hizmet Movement and what Mr. Gulen is inspiring is uniting people around spiritual ideals. And I like the idea in your schools that you don’t really teach religion directly; you teach ethics. I think that’s another hopeful sign that out of this spiritual movement you’re bringing people together of different religious-cultural backgrounds, but they’re uniting around a certain ethical principle of love and care for humanity and service of humanity.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Does Pakistani law allow you to deport Turkish teachers, Nawaz Sharif?

Fethullah Gülen’s response to the ‘clash of civilizations’ thesis

TÜBİTAK scolded for hiding olympiad winners were from Hizmet schools

Main opposition brings plans to sink Bank Asya to Parliament

Halki, pope, patriarch and Gülen

Peace Curriculum Includes Fethullah Gulen

HIzmet centre takes on Erdogan regime

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News