Annette Thomas? heart told her she needed to do something.
After visiting a Palestine refugee camp last March and reading about their situation, the Clarkston Post Office employee decided she needed to help.
‘I saw firsthand the devastation and I was floored,? Thomas said. ‘I also read stories in the Jordan Times that just made me cry. That is when I said to myself ‘I am coming back and will help those people.? ?
Before her trip in March, the Clarkston resident gathered donations for the refugees. According to Thomas, doing things like this is a way of life for her.
‘I just go wherever help is needed. I was raised that way,? Thomas said.
Thomas was recently contacted by the American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA) who asked her to gather blankets to be shipped off to the Middle East. They are shipping her out the container and she needs to ship it to Washington by the end of January. It will then be sent to the Middle East.
‘So we need the blankets as soon as possible. This would really help the people. It gets really cold at night in the desert,? Thomas said.
Thomas said she will pick up the blankets if anyone wants to donate and will also go out and purchase blankets if people make a cash contribution.
‘If you give cash I will give you a receipt for the blanket. Also, everyone who donates will get a personalized thank you note,? Thomas said. ‘The last time I did this I got such a great response from the community. People really open their hearts to strangers. They were really generous.?
Anyone interested in making a donation can call (248) 821-8911 for directions.