With winter quickly approaching and temperatures already starting to drop, charities are seeking donations of warm clothes. Random Acts Regional Representative Bhumika Makwana wanted to reach out to her local vulnerable population. She worked with the Croydon Refugee Day Centre to arrange some important weather-specific donations.
Croydon Refugee Day Centre
The West Croydon Baptist Church donation site.
The Croydon Refugee Day Centre was established in the 1990s by the West Croydon Baptist Church in Croydon, England. They were created to help people who have just arrived in Britain as refugees or asylum seekers and continue to serve that purpose today. The Centre provides material goods like food, clothing, and household items. They also offer English language classes for women and general education classes for children. Their location serves as a safe place for people to gather for a meal, find advice, and use bathing facilities.
Donation Day
Warm clothes and hygiene items ready for donating!
Bhumika coordinated with staff at the Centre to narrow down needed items and donation collection. She provided a variety of warm clothes, sturdy shoes, and diapers. “I definitely wasn’t alone with my donations,” said Bhumika, “as there was a whole pile of other donations there too, and that was very heartwarming to see.” The Centre has scheduled days for donation recipients to collect their needed items and partake in meals. Although Bhumika did not have the chance to connect with the recipients directly, she knows her donations will help families feel warm and welcome this winter. “It felt really wonderful to be able to donate all I could with Random Acts’ help. Especially with the upcoming lockdown and winter on its way, to be able to donate warm clothes and shoes, as well as some nappies/diapers for the little ones felt really good.”