Clarkston Fire 12/19

There was a terrible fire in the Brannon Hill condo complex in Clarkston Wed, Dec. 19th. Most of the families displaced by the fire were Somali refugees who had been in America for several years now, and there were less than a handful of Americans who were residents at the complex. Thankfully no one was hurt! There is an updated article about the incident at the 11 Alive News web site. Here is the link: http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=108355

The Red Cross was able to provide for only 1 night in a hotel for those who had no place to stay and they are now all living with friends and family. Please pray for one woman in particular, who you will see mentioned in the article. She has been so distraught that she is refusing to stay anywhere other than her home, so she is (or at least was) sleeping in her car near the burned building. Many of the families were Muslim, and the fire happened on a day that they hold as a very special holiday- Ciidwayneey, for Somali speaking people- also known as Eid al-Adha. This is the day of a great animal slaughter which is a commemoration of Ibrahim 's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son under the order of Allah. The people I spoke with found it very difficult to have such a tragedy of such a special holiday. The families need the following items as soon as possible:

1)Deposit and rent money for new apartments – housing is a first priority as most families are large and staring with friends and family is not sustainable. Checks can be written to Refugee Family Services and sent to:
Refugee Family Services:
Attn: 12/19 Fire Victim FundAsma Mohamud5561-H Memorial DriveStone Mountain, GA 30083

2) School supplies- many of the children lost all they had for school. Here are some suggestions: Backpacks, notebooks, paper, calculators, pencils and pens, crayons, markers, and misc desk supplies (scissors, glue, etc)

3) Kitchen supplies-Dishes, utensils, cups and glasses, cookware, cooking utensils, dish towels, storage containers, etc

4)Bedding-Blankets, air mattresses (and air pumps). sheets, towels, pillows, etc

5) Diapers, games, toys, warm children's clothing.

* If you have furniture you want to donate you will need to contact Asma Mohamud (below), as it will be up to RFS as to how they want to handle larger items in respect to the timing of these families obtaining alternate housing. From what I was told through Refugee Family Services this is the most immediate need.

Items can be dropped off at the address above. Phone number and email contacts are below.
Refugee Family Services404-299-6218 ext. 246
hilalm@refugeefamilyservices.org
www.refugeefamilyservices.org
Please label all bags or boxes with donations to Asma Mohamud re: Fire Victims