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CAMP-Wisconsin’s Eid Toy Drive
The young professionals in Milwaukee, WI wanted a platform where they could meet likeminded individuals in their community and provide their skills to more needy Muslims in the area. The idea attracted young Muslims from Madison, WI as well and they joined hands with Milwaukee to create CAMP-Wisconsin in August 2007. Recently there was an influx of Somalian refugees in Milwaukee. The refugees needed many basic necessities such as shelter, clothing, food, and transportation. Many Muslims in the community worked actively to help the refugees establish themselves. CAMP-Wisconsin wanted to bring some joy into their lives in the month of Ramadan and for Eid so we decided to do a Toy Drive for the Somalian children. We thought it would be better to buy new toys for them rather than give them hand me downs. Money was generated from the Muslim community for the toy drive. We wanted to buy items which would be eye-catching, fun, but useful for them when they started school such as school supplies. Once ample money was collected, we bought a hundred toys and took them to the Dawah Center where the refugees usually break fast. The Dawah Center is an Islamic center in the inner city area of Milwaukee. It is in stark contrast to the other more affluent Islamic centers in the city. Most of the people who visit it are African American Muslims, living at the poverty level or below. Breaking fast with them made us discover not only brothers and sisters in Islam, but neighbors as well who needed our help. The children were grateful and so happy to receive attention, love, and something fun for Eid. Each child’s smile was priceless and made us wish that we could do a lot more for them in the future. May Allah (swt) give us the strength and power to help those who need us in our community (Ameen). |