Relief effort in Chicago launched for women and children of Gaza Strip

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Khawla Abdul-Raziq February 6, 2009 (708) 715-5556
Local Mothers Turn the Light On for Gaza

Suburban Chicago mothers volunteered their time and efforts in support of Gaza families and collected a 40 foot long container of humanitarian aid such as candles, coats, medical supplies, dry food items and one thousand blankets, in less than ten days. The container will be shipped to the Gaza Strip.

The group of Arab American mothers had carried on the job collecting donations and packing boxes. Mrs. Gada Dauod, a volunteer, stated “this is the least we can offer to our brothers and sisters who are suffering the atrocity in Gaza and were left without home, shelter or food.”
Ms. Khawla Abdul-Raziq, President of PEACE - Palestinian Children Care organization, said “We are overwhelmed with the response for this project; we have received more than one thousand donations from local families, merchants and health care providers”. As a result to this response, PEACE will be organizing a national relief campaign in 35 US cities in the future.

The container will be shipped to Alexandria then to Gaza in coordination with the United Nations and The Palestinian Red Cross.

After the latest Israeli strike on Gaza, a densely populated 360 square kilometer Strip, a total of 20,000 buildings were completely or partially burnt and damaged. The UN has reported that more than 50,000 Palestinians were left homeless and are now crowded into 50 emergency shelters. An estimated of 50,000 more are living with relatives and in tents they erected on the ruins of their homes.

Ms. Khawla Abdul-Raziq and volunteers will speak about this Humanitarian Campaign at the truck loading site:
Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 1:00 PM
10608 S. Robert RD
Palos Hills, IL, 60645

PEACE is exempt under section 501© (3) # (61-1419480)
P.O. Box 671, Worth, IL 60482 Tel: (708) 974-4950 (708)715-5556 Fax: (708) 974-4920
Toll Free at 1.866.72.PEACE (73223)
E-mail: peace4children@yahoo.com www.peace4children.org