We wanted to express our appreciation to The Fountain Hills Times for the coverage of our efforts to raise awareness and donations for refugee families through our organization, Refugee Aid.

We are grateful to the Fountain Hills community and the Times’ staff, who responded generously by donating gently-used clothing, shoes, small backpacks, stuffed animals, medicine and travel size supplies. Many residents host families overnight and transport them to airports and bus terminals.

But more is needed. These asylum seekers, families with children, who are granted entry into the U.S. arrive with little and still have so far to travel to meet their sponsors. We hope that local offices, organizations and community residents will continue to respond. Email janiceholden1007@gmail.com for more information.