Hundreds of Afghans fleeing Taliban rule in their native country
were brought to Northern Virginia after the withdrawal of U.S. troops in recent
days. To help the evacuees, the Social Outreach Committee of St. James Church
in Falls Church held an emergency toiletry drive Aug 21.
With only hours’ notice, parishioners brought toothpaste,
toothbrushes, deodorants, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer and other
items to the parish parking lot to be sorted. After volunteers collected a
steady stream of donations for three hours, diocesan Catholic Charities Mobile
Response Center transported and delivered the goods to the newcomers staying at
the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly.
Cathy Hassinger, director of community services for Catholic
Charities, let the St. James volunteers know that the drive was a success. “Your
donation drive was perfect! They badly needed — and we unloaded — underwear,
deodorant, feminine products, toys. Perfect!”
