The CoSI Welcome to the Heartland Campaign – Helping refugees in Iowa – Phase 2

About one month ago, CoSI, the Grinnell based volunteer organization Community Support for Immigrants, began Phase 1 of the Welcome to the Heartland campaign to help over 600 Afghans and refugees, including the families of those who had assisted United States military operations in Afghanistan. CoSI is pleased to announce that the Grinnell community has donated $12,000 thus far. These funds are being forwarded to USCRI in Des Moines, who is helping the families build a new life in central Iowa. 

CoSI is now starting Phase 2 of the campaign during the month of March. Phase 2 is reaching out to request more help from the wider Grinnell community, recommending additional ways to support the Afghan and refugee families:

• Donate online purchases: Several Des Moines resettlement agencies (USCRI, Catholic Charities, & Lutheran Services) have up-to-date online wish lists which allow you to purchase urgently needed household items from online vendors and send them directly to the agency you choose. John Ashby, co-chair of the CoSI Steering Committee, said “I bought a teapot because I enjoyed choosing a gift that I knew the refugees would appreciate and Amazon even mailed it directly to the agency for me. Items in your price range are available.” Visit https://cosi-iowa.org/donate/ for links to the wish lists and instructions on making online purchases.

• Share the news with your friends, family, and neighbors: Refugees arrive in our country with almost nothing, and your generous support helps them to get established. Although resettlement agencies receive some funding from the government, private sector contributions are vital.

• Join the CoSI Immigrant Support Task Force: Your talents are welcome. Feel free to fill the volunteer form (https://cosi-iowa.org/volunteer/)

• Continue Donating money: USCRI will distribute gift cards to Afghans and refugees to purchase essential living items such as food supplies, household items, and warm clothing. Donations of any amount are welcome. Mail or drop off your contribution to: CoSI Refugee Drive, First Presbyterian Church, 1025 5th Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.

• Suggest ways that your business, church or civic organization might be able to contribute to welcoming our new neighbors. Contact CoSI by email at cosicentraliowa@gmail.com, or 641-316-6868.

As the situation evolves, CoSI will share additional opportunities to support the Afghan and refugee families.

If you have any questions for CoSI, or represent a local Grinnell Civic Group or business and would like a CoSI representative to come and talk about the Welcome to the Heartland Campaign, email us at cosicentraliowa@gmail.com or call at (641) 316-6868.

Thank you for helping to welcome our new Iowa neighbors. 

On Behalf of the CoSI Steering Committee:

Allen Ricks                                                                                                 John Ashby

Essi Adokou, Joslyn Martinez, and Valery Lopez, along with other members of the St. Mary Catholic college students enjoyed homemade cake pops for the first time.  The St Mary Catholic student college group earned over $200 for the “Welcome to the Heartland” CoSI fund raising effort to help with the resettlement of Afghan and other refugees in central Iowa by selling homemade sweets at the Rosenfield Center on campus.