The Students for Refugees Club took part in a fall drive for winter coats and boots over the weekend of October 3. Members reached out to the community to put together a collection of donated warm jackets and other winter gear. The drive was held through a local refugee association which gathered donations and volunteers from all over. The student volunteers were able to help sort and distribute the coats to those in need. 

“Students for Refugees is a club whose goal is to educate and raise awareness for refugees. We work with a local nonprofit called Hearts and Homes for Refugees, which has chapters of Students for Refugees all over Westchester,” senior Dylan Lee said. 

“The conditions are very bad refugee that families face in their home countries and many times they are also unsafe (hence the reason for their leaving), but once they get to the United States or other countries, life can be very difficult as well. They have to adapt to an entirely new culture, learn a new language, get a job, fit into their communities, and many times they have to raise a family, which can be especially difficult as it costs a lot of money and children have to go to school. By helping out local organizations, we can ensure families in need get the resources and help they require” Lee said.

In the coming months, The Students for Refugees Club is planning another drive with Hearts and Homes for Refugees for toiletries. Boxes will soon be placed around the high school for toiletry donations. 

Any students interested in getting involved and joining The Students for Refugees Club can do so by joining the Google Classroom using the code hygpjil, or the Groupme by emailing [email protected] or [email protected].