HENRIETTA, NY – As part of an effort to assist children in Afghanistan displaced or otherwise affected by war, community members, veterans organizations, peace advocates, religious groups and other individuals will participate in a new and used children’s clothing, coats, shoes, and blanket drive throughout the month of February. Collection boxes are available for the general public at the Henrietta Town Hall, 475 Calkins Road, Henrietta, and the drive will culminate in a gala fundraising event at Tribeca Nightclub on Friday, February 26, 2010, at 5:30 PM. The suggested donation for admission to the gala is $10 per person. Event proceeds will benefit Operation Care, a non-profit, charitable organization that distributes humanitarian aid throughout Afghanistan, as well as the Bayat Foundation, an Afghan-American non-governmental organization dedicated to providing food, medical care and winter resources to refugee children and families in Afghanistan. Rep. Eric Massa (NY-29), a retired US Navy Commander and vocal opponent of the escalation of the US-Afghanistan conflict, will keynote the gala charity event.
The event organizer is Julie Behlok, a Henrietta resident who, along with her husband Ray, was moved to action after viewing the documentary film, Rethink Afghanistan, which depicted thousands of war-weary Afghan children freezing to death. Local activist and filmmaker, Mara Ahmed, who coordinated several screenings of the film, encouraged Behlok to become involved. The United States has been engaged in military combat in Afghanistan since October, 2001. With the recent announcement of an Obama Administration surge in troop levels in that country, Behlok thought that as Americans, we should also “escalate our care” to help the innocent Afghan children caught in this military conflict.
In addition to the supplies, monetary donations can be submitted at the Henrietta Town Hall location or at the gala fundraiser. Event organizational sponsorships are also being sought. For additional information or to RSVP for the gala, please contact Julie Behlok at (585) 321-9777 or jbehlok (at) gmail.com. Information is also available at www.operationcarerochester.org.
