A UF organization is collecting winter clothes and other items through the end of the month to help Syrian refugees in Florida.
Students Organize for Syria at UF, a nonpolitical, nonprofit organization, is asking students and Gainesville residents to donate gently used clothing, shoes and books until Nov. 30. Items can be dropped off in the corridor at Keene-Flint Hall, Room 234.
Rana Al-Nahhas, the president and founder of SOS at UF, said the group decided to have its first winter donation drive because it wanted to let refugees know they are valued and welcome.
As of July 31, there were 542 Syrian refugees in Florida, according to NBC. Items collected will be distributed across the state with the help of outside organizations such as Islamic Relief USA, but no definite partnerships have been made yet, the 21-year-old said.
“I don’t think students understand the seriousness of it,” the UF psychology senior said. “These are just innocent civilians.”
She said the organization has received a lot of support since its launch in January 2015.
“It’s actually been really heartwarming,” Al-Nahhas said.
Amanda Makhoul, a UF political science and international studies alumna, said she thinks it’s important to donate because she has friends who have family living in Syria.
“It shows them we love them and we care for them,” the 22-year-old said. “Chances are they didn’t make it here with a lot of things.”
