LA CROSSE, Wis., (December 10, 2021) – Nearly 2,000 Afghans currently housed at Fort McCoy are attending classes on base as part of the ongoing effort to help them adapt to life in the United States.
To support the newly-established classrooms at Fort McCoy, a group of community partners launched the “Operation Allies Welcome School Supply Drive.”
“After seeing the need firsthand, educators from Viterbo, Western, and UW-La Crosse realized one way we could help was by getting supplies to the classrooms at Fort McCoy,” said UW-La Crosse Associate Professor and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Director Heather Linville. “We collaborated with the Department of Homeland Security and Fort McCoy to create a wish list of essential educational materials. By purchasing items from the wish list, the public can help our Afghan guests in a very real way.”
Those wishing to contribute may purchase items from the wish list, which can be found on Ugetconnected at www.ugetconnected.org. Look for the banner titled “Afghan Immigrant Support – Help make our guests feel at home!” The wish list is also accessible at www.gruw.org/schoolsupplies.
Purchases made via the wish list will be delivered directly to Fort McCoy to speed receipt and comply with security protocols.
Great Rivers United Way and the School District of La Crosse are also involved in the planning and promotion to help make people aware of what they can do to help.
“This school supply drive is another example of how Great Rivers United Way works to build community partnerships to address needs in our local community,” said Great Rivers United Way Executive Director Mary Kay Wolf.