Syrian Refugees Service
These are unprecedented times. People all over the globe are suffering unique hardships as a result of COVID-19 and other significant challenges. This year, especially, as our stake members have lived in the epicenter of a global health pandemic, we’ve been reminded how essential it is to be good neighbors and friends. Working with the NY NY Stake, we will serve Syrian refugees.
Stakewide Service:
That’s why in the upcoming weeks, through mid-October, we have the privilege of performing a large, stake-wide service project alongside our friends and community partners at the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees. Since 2019, more than 1 million Syrian refugees have been displaced from their homes. Not only are they fighting a health pandemic, but they are far from their homes and without access to basic healthcare. They are in dire need of clothing, food and shelter.
What:
That’s where we come in. Starting August 1, our stake will be collecting the following items to donate and ship to Northern Syria this fall:
Coats and/or jackets (appropriate for fall and winter seasons)
Socks (all sizes and colors, but especially needed for children)
Face masks (can be handmade or purchased. The handmade mask link is from local, Gotham Quilts, though this pattern works well too and allows for greater customization around the nose and eye lines). Additional information on mask making that Andrea Combs put together is included at the end of this letter.
How:
We will be gathering all donations at the Lincoln Square Building from August 1 through October 15th. A donation box will be available on the 3rd floor of the LS building so you can drop off your items. We recognize that the building is not conveniently accessible to all our communities, especially during this time. If this is the case, please connect with your Ward’s Relief Society and Elders Quorum Presidencies to determine potential opportunities for your donations to be picked up from a more convenient, neighborhood location.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to send something instead of bringing it to the Lincoln Sq. building—perhaps you want to purchase a pair of socks on Amazon and have it delivered to the project, you may send it to:
Glen Nelson
457 W. 57th St. #601
New York, NY 10019
Kids serve too:
Lastly, our friends at the Alliance have suggested how special it is for our Syrian friends to receive personal notes and drawings. This is especially the case with children. If you and/or your family members will write notes or draw pictures, our friends at the Multifaith Alliance will attach them to the shipments.
In-person Packing Event TBD:
As we understand the social distancing restrictions for the fall, we will keep you posted about our ability to hold an in-person event where we will pack hygiene kits to send with our shipments.
Please reach out to Marcia Nelson, Stake Communications Director of the NY NY Stake, with questions or for more information. marcia.nelson.nyc@gmail.com
As we focus on making masks for refugees, we want to choose patterns that will provide durability, ease of use and adaptability for people of different sizes. There are many tutorials and patterns available online, but here is a basic pattern that has been great for my family. It is comfortable with good coverage (thanks to the pleats), easy to make larger or smaller, adjustable due to the ties and has all straight seams! It also was designed by the owners of the NYC-based quilt shop, Gotham Quilts. (Hooray for local!)
A few notes about this pattern…
Size is easy to adjust larger or smaller. For example, I made some a little longer for more coverage from nose to chin. The measurements I used were: 8" x 7" for an adult mask and 7" x 5 1/2" for a childs one. Masks in a range of sizes are welcome.
Elastic can be used, but isn’t as durable. (One of mine is starting to unravel already.) I’d recommend using ties as suggested in the pattern for durability and customized fit. Some cord adjusters available online may be able to be used with ties too. 3. Two adjustments I’ve made to this pattern are adding a dart along the nose line and cutting the top seam so it curved slightly to provide more space around my eyes. I improvised these adjustments (see photos below), but this pattern incorporates them into the basic design.
