Birmingham—This Valentine’s Day, the Woman’s Missionary Union Foundation hopes to spread love and warmth to Syrian refugees living in Jordan. The Foundation is asking people to donate $25, which supplies a blanket to a refugee family. They are also encouraging people to donate blankets in their communities to help meet local needs.

“We want to do everything we can to meet the physical and spiritual needs of refugees in Jordan, but we also can’t forget about those in our backyard,” explains David George, president of the WMU Foundation. “There have been many cold nights in Birmingham this winter and we want to make sure no family is without warmth.”

For a number of years the WMU Foundation has partnered with Arab Woman Today, a Christian ministry in Jordan. AWT has been sharing Christ’s love in the Arab world for many years and the Syrian refugee crisis is not new to them. Providing blankets is one important way of assisting refugees who are not receiving aid from the Jordanian government.

“We’ve had three snowstorms in Jordan this season. It’s been very cold,” reports Ruba Abbassi, founder and director of AWT. “Because of the increase in the number of refugees from Syria, we are seeing many families who are not being taken care of and have nowhere to turn.”

A gift of $25 to the WMU Foundation’s AWT Fund will provide a warm blanket to a refugee family and will also help meet the spiritual needs in Jordan. The Foundation is also asking people to donate new blankets to a local ministry or homeless shelter.

“Whether it’s a blanket given to a refugee or to someone in need in your community, it’s a small way to show the love of Christ,” said George. “It’s also a fun and affordable way to involve your family in local and international missions.”

The WMU Foundation is encouraging people to make their blanket donations by Valentine’s Day so they can be used while it is still cold outside. Your tax-deductible donation of $25 can be made online at wmufoundation.com or through the mail to the WMU Foundation at 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL, 35242.

To give locally, find a ministry or homeless shelter that needs donated blankets. The WMU Foundation will collect blankets at their office building until Friday, Feb. 12. The blankets will be given to The WellHouse, a Birmingham-based shelter for victims of human trafficking. (WMU)