Fill the Truck Event Coming to Regina Health Center February 20 to Assist Refugees and Migrants
The Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland are hosting a “Fill the Truck” event at Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine/Regina Health Center Tuesday, February 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. to collect essential household items for refugees and migrants resettling in Northeast Ohio.
Items needed include:
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Laundry detergent
- Cleaning supplies
- Dishwashing liquid
- Shampoo
- Baby diapers (sizes 4, 5 and 6)
- Cash donations are accepted
Other collection sites and dates include: The Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland (29777 Fairmount Blvd, Pepper Pike) on Monday, February 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word (6818 Pearl Road, Parma Heights) on Wednesday, February 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ninety-first Day Outreach
The event is being hosted by the Ursuline Sisters Ninety-first Day Outreach program. The program was created after a group of sisters heard a fellow sister speak about her engagement with local refugee families. They were determined to do something to help. The Ninety-first Day Outreach program addresses the needs of refugees and migrants resettling in Northeast Ohio.
The group’s name derives from the point in time at which refugees must be self-sufficient. For the first three months — 90 days — they have agencies such as Catholic Charities to assist them. On the 91st day, they are officially on their own. With no ongoing supports, they can find themselves scrambling for necessities like food, household items, information on employment and educational opportunities, and other services.
Through the Ninety-first Day Outreach, the group engages in collecting funds, gift cards and a variety of needed items. From the very first collection to the present, the generosity and support of community members and co-workers, relatives, friends, and sisters from other local congregations has been overwhelming. Since its inception, Ninety-first Day has collected thousands of dollars in cash and gift card donations, a truckload of home furnishings (sheets, towels, cleaning products, dishes, pots and pans, etc.), diapers and baby wipes, paper products, and a number of refurbished laptop computers. The group has established support networks with refugee outreach on the east and west sides of Cleveland.