Introduction
Lewinsville Presbyterian Church is a Matthew 25 congregation of the Presbyterian Church USA, which means we are called to actively engage the world around us and act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned, or poor.
In light of this call the Lewinsville Refugee Resettlement Team (RRT) has been established to support refugees resettling in the Northern Virginia area following difficult or traumatic events abroad.
We have assembled the information below to provide the congregation with an understanding of how they can support this effort. This team will often be attempting to address the specific needs of a particular family or individual. At other times, we will be aligning support for broader groups or communities.
Points of Contact
If you have questions or comments for this team, please reach out to these points of contact:
- Betty Douglass — ebdouglass22046@gmail.com
- Rob Hunter — robharriet@mindspring.com
- Pastor Layne Brubaker — lbrubaker@lewinsville.org
Donation Needs
The RRT has entered into a partnership with Lutheran Social Service and is actively preparing a new family.
Refugee Support Resources
Places to Shop
The following retailers and outlets will afford you an opportunity to purchase needed items in an economical manner.
Unique Thrift Store
The Unique Thrift Store is a large and diverse thrift store located in Merrifield that offers inexpensive clothing, housewares, toys, books, backpacks, small appliances, small furniture and more. Availability changes daily. The website does not show items available. Not all items are in excellent or good condition, but a lot is. You have to be selective.
Website: https://stores.savers.com/va/fallschurch/unique-thrift-store-5109.html
Address: 2956 Gallows Road, Falls Church VA 22042
Goodwill Retail Store
The Goodwill retail store is another thrift store option, with a main focus on clothing, some housewares, furniture, and footwear such as shoes and boots. Items are well arranged to find gender, age, and type of clothing. Very inexpensive.
Website: https://dcgoodwill.org/locations/fairfax-virginia-store-donation-center
Address: 9960 Main St., Fairfax VA 22031
Target
Target.com allows you to shop for lower cost pots and pans, tableware, kitchen utensils, small appliances, lamps, bed/bath and kitchen linens, clothing, “small space” living room furniture, toys, books and clothing, diapers, & strollers.
Target will allow you to ship goods purchased online directly to refugee homes.
Website: https://www.target.com/
Walmart
Walmart is another well-known shopping outlet that has many of the same products that you will find at Target. Walmart will also allow you to ship goods purchased online directly to refugee homes.
Website: https://www.walmart.com/
Amazon.com
Amazon.com works with several relief agencies to supply the most crucial items from their wish lists. These are generally intended for the broad population of refugee families in the area, not necessarily LPC’s specific families.
Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile, is a simple way to support your favorite charitable organization when you shop, at no additional cost. Amazon donates a small percentage of the purchase price to the charitable organization designated by the customer. Lutheran Social Services is registered to participate. If interested in supporting LSS this way, view the “How to Sign Up” details.
Website: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/community/how-to-sign-up-for-amazonsmile
Ukraine Relief Efforts
Ukraine
President Biden has announced that the United States will welcome 100,000 Ukrainian refugees who were forced to flee their country following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. If you are interested in supporting relief efforts, support is needed for both those displaced inside Ukraine and in the general region as well as for those who arrive in the United States.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is assisting refugees and displaced families still in Ukraine and the surrounding region. PDA’s work is often done through mission partners in the affected areas of the world. PDA is in contact with Reformed churches in Ukraine and the surrounding region.
In the coming weeks and months, PDA anticipates that their response will include both financial and technical assistance, as the network of faith communities providing humanitarian assistance grows. Currently, funds are being used for emergency humanitarian aid such as food items, shelter, medicines, diapers, hygiene items, etc.
You may donate directly to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance here: https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/ukraine/.
Lewinsville’s Refugee Resettlement Team
- Betty Douglass — Team Leader
- Rob Hunter — Team Co-leader
- Layne Brubaker — Pastoral Liaison
- Augusta Niday
- Connie Church
- David Foster
- Donald Lu
- Harriet Hopkins
- Jack Calhoun
- Karen Steel
- Phil Church
- Sharon Henderson
- Siobhan Grayson