Local Groups Help Refugees From Kosovo

Reaching out to help refugees fleeing Kosovo, local organizations and companies are in the midst of an intense campaign to collect money and supplies.

Groups ranging from relief agencies such as the American Red Cross to several Ventura businesses recently started asking for help with the rescue effort, which is expected to last months.

“Most of the people coming over [the Kosovo border] are women, children and elderly, and they are very tired and hungry,” said Mary Osler, a spokeswoman for the Ventura County chapter of the American Red Cross.

Red Cross officials expect that at least $1 million will be needed each month to provide supplies for almost half a million ethnic Albanians who have been forced to leave their homes in the last two weeks. The local chapter is accepting cash donations to buy relief supplies.

“We can buy food, water, medical supplies and blankets and get them there immediately,” Osler said. “It’s much more efficient than trying to sort things and ship them.”

Osler did not know how much had been collected in the Ventura County area but said calls and checks have been pouring in.

Ermanno Tarli of Camarillo said he plans to give the Red Cross all the money raised at a festival dinner April 18 in the Ponderosa Center’s parking lots. More than 400 families are expected to spend $3 per person for an all-you-can-eat Italian meal prepared by local restaurants.

The fair, from 1 to 5 p.m., will also feature games for children, representatives from nonprofit groups who can answer questions about the situation in Yugoslavia, and a silent auction.

“We’re going to make it fun, with the family and community involved,” said Tarli, a 37-year-old caterer. “It’s from the people of Camarillo to the people of Kosovo.”

The Salvation Army is spearheading an effort similar to that of the Red Cross, by providing food and water to the more than 100,000 refugees who have entered Albania in recent weeks. The religious organization has five stores in Ventura County, stretching from Ventura to Simi Valley, but the Salvation Army’s Los Angeles regional office is handling the Kosovo contributions.

Donations also are being accepted by Direct Relief, a Santa Barbara-based group that sends medical supplies to disaster-stricken areas. Pharmaceutical companies generally donate medicine and other supplies, while the public is asked to donate money for shipping costs.

The nonprofit agency last week sent its first batch of antibiotics, local anesthetics, drugs to reduce blood pressure and analgesics to refugee campus in northern Albania. Another shipment is expected to go out this week, said Ken Grimwood, an organization spokesman.

“We plan to have an ongoing assistance program for the Kosovo refugees as long as this is going on,” he said. “And unfortunately, it looks like it’s going to go on for a while.”

The Ventura-based Affinity Group Inc. has established a matching fund for its employees who want to donate money to help the refugees. Top officials for the publishing and recreation company that runs the national Good Sam RV Owners Club decided last week it was important for them to play a part in aiding those who have been forced to leave their homes in the Balkans.

Employees of the nationwide company have responded positively, said Mike Schneider, chief operating officer.

“One only has to look at the evening news to see the atrocities going on,” Schneider said. “If there is a small way we can contribute, we’d like to do that.”

FYI

To make donations, send checks to:

* American Red Cross, Ventura County chapter, in care of International Response Fund, 2355 Portola Road, Ventura, CA 93005. For credit card donations, call (800) HELP-NOW.

* Kosovo Relief, in care of the Salvation Army, 900 W. 9th St., Los Angeles, CA 90015. For credit card donations, call (800) 725-9005.

* Direct Relief, 27 S. La Patera Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93117. Or call (800) 676-1638.

* For more information about the Camarillo dinner, call 388-1992.

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