Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Hearts & Homes for Refugees.

Pelham, NY (March 2021) – From January 18, 2021 – the MLK Day of Service – through Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2021, Hearts & Homes for Refugees (https://www.heartsandhomesforrefugees.org), Westchester’s leading grassroots humanitarian organization partnering with U.S. State Department-designated agencies to welcome, assist, and advocate for refugees, hosted a highly successful personal care products drive for refugee families and individuals facing financial difficulty during the pandemic. In partnership with Catholic Charities, and with help from a dedicated team of volunteers from throughout Westchester and the Bronx, the Love Your Neighbor campaign secured over 10,000 units of personal care products including toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, laundry detergent, hand sanitizer, disinfectants, and female hygiene products.

The tremendous response of donations to the Love Your Neighbor campaign was valued at over $115,000, and to date have been distributed to 471 individuals and families.

“Vulnerable populations like our neighbors – refugees and asylees — have been suffering disproportionally during the pandemic. For the past year, Hearts & Homes for Refugees has been responding to an increased demand for basic support in the form of food, clothing, school supplies, and rent relief,” said Kathie O’Callaghan, President and Founder of Hearts & Homes for Refugees. “Even with such help, some families often don’t have much left after paying expenses and most assistance programs do not cover essential personal products such as soap and sanitizer. We are so grateful for the enormous outpouring of support from our dedicated volunteers and donors who made the drive such an overwhelming success.”

Love Your Neighbor donors included individuals who delivered personal products and gift cards at volunteer-run hubs at private homes and community groups throughout Westchester County and the Bronx, as well as small and large non-profits and corporations including Colgate-Palmolive, Dr. Bronners, High Ridge Brands, Linus Project Blankets, and Period Inc. – a global youth-run nonprofit that strives to provide and celebrate menstrual hygiene through advocacy, education, and service.

“For most of us, personal products like toothpaste and soap are simple parts of our daily lives that we take for granted”, said Sam Heptig of Catholic Charities. “However, the requests for these types of products from our refugee and asylee neighbors were overwhelming this winter. The tremendous community response will make a huge difference in the lives of these vulnerable families. A small gesture really can go a long way in providing someone a feeling of dignity and hope.”