WHO/WHAT:
The Rotary Club of Ankeny has helped over a dozen Afghan families get settled in Central Iowa.  Many more families are coming, and we’ve identified an area District 6000 can help more Afghan families!!!  One of their pressing needs is a SEWING MACHINE.  We’ve already gathered several machines and we’ve learned what works….and what doesn’t.  So, if you would like to help, please consider donating or gathering sewing machines that will work best for this purpose.
 
WHERE/WHEN & HOW TO DROP OFF MACHINES:
Option 1 - The Des Moines Refugee Support Group:  We have partnered with one of our local refugee services, The Des Moines Refugee Support group, for storage and distribution of the machines. They are connected with incoming families and are able to offer a centralized location for refugee services in a local church basement in the Des Moines metro.  DMRS WOULD LOVE TO TAKE IMMEDIATE DONATIONS OF SEWING MACHINES!!!  Please visit their Facebook page to see upcoming drop off times: https://www.facebook.com/DSMRefugeeSupport/ or you can email them at desmoinesrefugee@gmail.com to ask when their next drop off time will be.  Their address is 5001 Hickman, Redeemer Presbyterian Church.  The Des Moines Refugee support group is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), so Rotarians can get a tax donation receipt (if requested) by dropping off the machine directly in person at DMRS.
 
Option 2 - Jacquelyn Duke's Front Porch:  If you are unable to drop the machines at DMRS during a scheduled drop off time, you can leave the machines at any time on the front porch of Jacquelyn Duke's home at 809 NW Parkside Drive, Ankeny, IA 50023.   She will get the machines to the appropriate location. 
 
Option 3 - District Annual Conference in Coralville:  Steve Dakin has graciously offered the use of his trailer to load sewing machines donated at the April 22-23 District Annual Conference in Coralville.  If you’ll be bringing more than 5 machines, please email Steve a week or so before conference at steve@retiredfun.net.  That way we can be sure we’ll have enough space in the trailer for (hopefully!) all of the donations!
 
Contact Jacquelyn Duke, jacquelyn@sellingcentraliowa.com with questions.  Let’s make a DIFFERENCE for these new neighbors of ours!!!!
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