By Marci McPhee, San Antonio East Stake Just Serve Specialist
There was scarcely any “room at the inn” for the generous donation of diapers for refugee children collected by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ San Antonio East Stake. The Center for Refugee Services somehow found space to receive the 8127 diapers (an even 100 boxes/packages) donated by members of the stake for refugee families in our own hometown.
The stake holiday activity was described like this: “As our thoughts turn to that refugee infant Jesus in the manger, we think of those refugee infants among us in San Antonio. If you can, bring a package of diapers to this stake activity and join us for cookies and cocoa! Curbside available if you prefer to stay outside. Then enjoy the Windcrest lights!” (The stake center is located in Windcrest.)
For some families during these challenging times, donating diapers to children in need represented a real sacrifice. For everyone, it represents generosity to our brothers and sisters in need among us.
The diapers are distributed by the Center for Refugee Services (CRS), which is the only independent nonprofit agency in San Antonio that works exclusively to promote the successful community integration of legally resettled refugees. The refugees come from Burma (Myanmar), DR Congo, Eritrea, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, etc.
Many of the Afghans and Iraqis supported American soldiers in their country, acting as translators and contractors on the ground. Now it’s not safe for them to remain in their home country, so they were promised safety here. It’s just our country making good on our promise to those who supported our troops, at great risk to their own lives. When these folks arrive in the United States with their families, CRS supports those assigned to San Antonio in their transition to a new country, a new culture, and a new life.
CRS program support manager Jill Rips said, “Refugee families have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic, with many losing their jobs. With any income or savings going to rent, utilities and food, they have no extra funds to buy diapers. This collection of diapers is a holiday gift to the families.”
At this time of year when our thoughts turn to the infant Jesus, born in lowly circumstances, East Stake members responded to the call to provide “swaddling clothes” for our tiny brothers and sisters in need. Many thanks to all those who participated in this collection, and thanks to the Center for Refugee Services for their good work all year round.