Donation drive for Ukraine refugees is off to strong start

Just one week into the Northern Virginia Regional Commission's (NVRC) drive to collect clothing and blankets for refugees from Ukraine, boxes and bags of donations are accumulating at two collection sites around the Richmond Highway corridor.

The Offices of Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck are serving as drop-off locations for new and gently used coats, and new blankets, heavy socks and gloves. Donations are being accepted until April 15, after which time they will be shipped overseas at no cost for distribution to residents of Ukraine and refugees in Poland. 

Since Thursday, my office has received over 10 boxes of donations in support of Ukrainian refugees. Thank you to those who donated!

Residents have until April 15th to donate: https://t.co/0Mh3M6fX2s
Here's what's needed: new or gently used
🧥 Coats
✔ Blankets
🧦 Socks
🧤 Gloves pic.twitter.com/ZN5StGKtYm

— Rodney Lusk (@SupervisorLusk) March 28, 2022

The aid program was announced by local government leaders in Northern Virginia at a press event at Fairfax County Government Center on March 23. 

According to NVRC — a regional council of 13 member local governments in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. — a similar aid program back in 2013 yielded nearly 14 tons of blankets and coats for Syrian refugees who fled to Turkey due to violence in their home country.