City Of Fort Worth: Fire Recruits Climb Stairs To Assist Refugees Arriving In DFW

Dallas TX

07 March, 2022

4:57 PM

Description

Press release from City of Fort Worth: March 07, 2022 Fort Worth Fire Department recruits participated in a stair climb at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex on Monday to raise funds for nonprofit organizations assisting Afghan refugee families settle into housing and enroll in Fort Worth schools. Recruits climbed 100 flights of stairs. Since August, Texas has received 4,400Afghan refugees — the second largest number — with 2,200 being brought to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Of the 450 refugees repatriating in Fort Worth, 260 are under the age of 18 and half of those children are under the age of 5. The families include adult males who assisted United States military forces in Afghanistan during the Global War on Terror. They are repatriating in Fort Worth through the assistance of multiple government agencies and nonprofits. The Fort Worth Fire Department joined with Angie Kraus, wife of retired Fort Worth Police Chief Ed Kraus, and Tarrant County Public Health over a two-day period to provide vaccinations that allow the children to enroll in school. Last week, 118 children and adults received vaccinations through the joint endeavor. "The Fort Worth Fire Department is proud to stand in support of families that provided so much support to our United States military," said Fire Chief Jim Davis. "We welcome them to our Fort Worth community and appreciate their contributions to keep our armed service members safe while in their home country." The stair climb at Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex raises money for the three agencies that are providing clothing, food, hygiene products, diapers, household items and other necessities. Refugee Services of Texas, Catholic Charities and World Relief-North Texas are assisting with the relocation and repatriation of these families. In addition to the Afghan refugees, these agencies are assisting with other groups and are preparing for the arrival of Ukrainian refugees. "These families are so happy to be in Texas, but their hearts are still tied to many family and friend relationships back in Afghanistan," Angie Kraus said. "They know their lives are threatened by the Taliban for their connection to America. Please welcome these families to Fort Worth. They left with nothing and we have an opportunity to support them as they start their new lives in America after they supported us in Afghanistan." Financial contributions are being accepted: Refugee Services of Texas.  Catholic Charities Refugee Services.  World Relief North Texas.  Amazon Shopping List.  Refugee Services of Texas.      Photo: Fort Worth Firefighter Jairo Romero assists as 5-year-old Nafisa receives vaccinations ahead of enrolling in FWISD schools. (Fort Worth Fire Department photo)     Get articles like this in your inbox. Subscribe to City News.   This press release was produced by City of Fort Worth. The views expressed here are the author's own.