Persistent violence and civil tensions are driving people from their homes in Iraq. As families leave home they lose their source of income and the basic supplies needed for everyday life. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have fled their homes for other areas inside Iraq in the past year.

DOERS, a local non-profit, will be supplying the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). The MCC is responding to the humanitarian crisis in Iraq by sending 4,200 relief kits, 11,000 newborn kits, 22,000 school kits, and 16,000 blankets to be distributed by local humanitarian agencies working with more than 8,000 vulnerable families in Baghdad and surrounding communities.

Sat., Aug. 25, 4 to 8 p.m. at the Wil-Mar Center 953 Jenifer St., Madison

Relief Kits
Contents (NEW items only)
4 bars bath soap (110-140g / 4-5oz, in wrappers)
1 plastic bottle shampoo (380-710ml / 13-24oz; place bottle in a resealable plastic bag)
10 cups powdered laundry detergent (double bag in 4 liter / 1 gallon resealable plastic bags)
1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 130ml / 6oz; leave in box)
4 adult-size toothbrushes (leave in packaging)
4 new bath towels (medium weight, dark color)
1 hairbrush (remove packaging)
1 comb (20cm / 8")
1 fingernail clipper
1 box adhesive bandages (minimum 40, assorted)
1 package sanitary pads (18-24 thin maxi or ultra thin)

Health Kits
Contents (NEW items only)
1 toothbrush (adult size; leave in wrapper)
1 squeeze-tube toothpaste (minimum 130ml / 6oz; leave in box)
1 bar soap (110-140g / 4-5oz, in wrapper)
1 fingernail clipper
1 hand towel (larger than fingertip, dark color)
Sewing Instructions for Health and Sewing Kit Bags

New Purchased Blankets: twin preferred, full accepted too.
Clean Old Cotton Sheets: for making bandages.

School Kits
Contents (NEW items only)
4 spiral or perforated notebooks (about 21.5cm x 27cm / 8.5" x 10.5" and 70-80 sheets U.S. /
      140-160 pages in Canada, more info)
4 unsharpened pencils
1 ruler (flat, flexible plastic; indicating both 30cm and 12")
12 colored pencils (in packaging)
1 large pencil eraser
Sewing Instructions for School Kit bags

Sewing Kits
Contents (NEW items only)
1 metric tape measure
2 spools dual use white thread (cotton/polyester, minimum 273m / 300 yards each)
2 spools dual use black thread (cotton/polyester, minimum 273m / 300 yards each)
1 thimble (medium size), 10 assorted safety pins
1 dressmaker's scissors (good quality)
1 pkg. needles (approx. 25)
1 pkg. straight pins (approx. 100)
1 pkg. hooks and eyes (approx. 12)
1 pkg. sew on snaps (approx. 20-25)
Sewing Instructions for Health and Sewing Kit Bags

Newborn Kits
Contents (NEW items only, size 3-9 months)
2 gowns/sleepers (lightweight cotton)
2 undershirts/sacques/onesies (short or long sleeves)
4 cloth diapers (flat-folded preferred)
1 receiving blanket (mediumweight cotton or flannel; min. 92cm / 36 ")
4 safety pins (5cm / 2")
1 bar mild soap (110-140g / 4-5oz; in wrapper)
Remove packaging material (except soap) and fold into the receiving blanket. Fasten together with the safety pins.
      Note: Nylon and nylon fleece are not suitable.

You can help by sewing kit bags, either before the event, or at the event. Please use only attractive, cotton or cotton-blend cloth, with no religious or national symbols in the designs. If you can bring some finished bags to the beginning of the event, it would be much appreciated. If you know a seamstress who cannot get out, but would like to help, you can offer her (or him) the opportunity to participate in this way.