COMMUNITY News:

Interfaith Los Alamos has ramped up its winter coat drive underway for refugees recently resettled in New Mexico after thieves stole thousands of dollars in winter coats and hygiene products Oct. 2 from a warehouse in Albuquerque.

Lutheran Family Services (LFS) is the only organization licensed by the US State Department to resettle refugees in the state. More than 100 families have been newly resettled during this past year alone, many from Afghanistan.

LFS has asked Interfaith Los Alamos and the community to help provide new coats of various sizes for men and women, boys and girls. These donations are desperately needed now more than ever — warm winter coats, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and hygiene products will be gratefully accepted. 

Also, this year there is a specific request for durable shoes. Many of these families have an urgent need for them for the coming winter. The specific request is for donations of $50 gift cards so that families can buy their own shoes (for example, Kohls, Walmart, Target, etc.).

Please note: — the request is for gift cards, not for shoes!

All donation items may be dropped off at Bethlehem Lutheran, Unitarian Universalist, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal and White Rock United Methodist churches through Sunday, Nov. 6.

These items will be distributed before Thanksgiving to newly arrived refugee children and families in the Albuquerque area.

Direct questions to Interfaith Los Alamos at interfaith.losalamos@gmail.com.