The Fountains United Methodist Church in Fountain Hills recently partnered with Refugee Aid to hold a clothes-sorting event.

Volunteers sorted and bagged one ton of used clothing for transportation to area churches assisting with the needs of asylum-seekers in transit.

Refugee Aid is a local grassroots organization that assists asylum seekers en route to their sponsors. It is a project of the Southwest Heritage Foundation, a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation.

Mary Jo Forman Miller, Refugee Aid executive director, said, “The event had a great turnout and boy, did we move quickly through those clothing donations.

“It’s amazing how generous people can be with their time and donations, too.

“The Fountains was so welcoming and their facility was perfect for our needs. The asylum-seeking families who benefit from this clothing often have their personal items seized during their journey and are in great need of this kind of assistance. We are deeply grateful for the assistance of The Fountains.”

The Fountains pastor, the Rev. David Felten said, “As followers of Jesus, we’re called to pay special attention to the needs of the marginalized in society, so we were eager to be able to assist in this small way in serving asylum-seeking families.”

For more information on Refugee Aid and to get involved, visit refugeeaid.org.