Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of County Commissioners is providing drop-off locations for residents who wish to donate clothing, toiletries, and other items to Afghan interpreters, their families, and other refugees evacuated from Afghanistan who are being housed at Fort Dix in New Jersey.
“The refugees are seeking peace and security in America, as so many have done before them. Let’s all help ensure they feel safe and welcome,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella.
Items for donation can be brought to the following locations at Union County facilities:
Elizabeth (two locations):
- Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza
- Social Service Building, 342 Westminster Avenue
Mountainside:
- Trailside Museum and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road
Plainfield:
- Social Services Building, 200 West 2nd Street
Scotch Plains:
- Union County Engineering Building, 2325 South Avenue
Westfield:
- Ralph J. Froehlich Public Safety Building, 400 North Avenue East
Please note that only new items will be accepted for donation. Suggested items include:
Children:
- Diapers
- Clothing
- Formula
- Baby bottles
- Baby wipes
- Soccer balls, blocks and other simple toys
- Shoes
- School supplies – pencils, crayons, notebooks, etc.
Families:
- Bottled water
- Men’s and women’s clothing (scarves and loose-fitting clothes for women)
- Winter coats/jackets/gloves
- Shoes
- Feminine hygiene products
- Wheelchairs, walker, canes
- Towels
- Laundry Detergent
- Toiletries
- Smart phones charging cables
- Grooming kits
When dropping off items, face masks must be worn indoors in accordance with COVID-19 safety rules at Union County facilities.
For additional information on the Union County donation program for Afghan refugees, contact Nathalie Hernandez, Assistant Director, Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Union County Department of Human Services, at nahernandez@ucnj.org or 908-527-4880.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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