Fairfax County Collecting Blankets, Coats for Syrian Refugees

Thousands of miles away from the turmoil in Syria, Fairfax County is hoping to make a difference.

The county is participating in an effort coordinated by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission to collect clean, gently used blankets and coats for the refugee families of Syria and Iraq impacted by the violence of civil war and ISIL.

In 2014, nearly 18,000 blankets were collected by Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington and other area counties and municipalities and shipped to assist these families. This year’s regional collection, which began Saturday and will run until Dec. 5, has been expanded to include coats of all sizes (infants through adults).

“Last year’s collection drive was incredible with literally thousands of blankets being dropped off at Fairfax County locations,” Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova said in a statement. “We were honored to work with our community partners and local faith organizations to help those in need of warm blankets. I know our community will be there once again to join this great effort.”

See below for donation collection locations, dates and times, and help us make a difference for these families in need. For more information on the regional effort, go to www.helpsyrianrefugees.us. Monetary donations can also be made online.

There are drop-off locations at all county supervisors offices, including the North County Governmental Center at 1801 Cameron Glen Dr. in Reston, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Donations can also be delivered to the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 530, Fairfax.

Local houses of worship will also hold a one-day collection event on Dec. 5. To see a full list of participating centers, visit the Fairfax County website.

Photo: Fairfax County Supervisor Sharon Bulova (right) collects donations for refugees/Credit: HelpSyrianRefugees.us