Press release for immediate release

CONTACT:

Hamid Qureshi

[e-mail]

404-940-4430

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
US Muslim Charity to Host #OneNationOneCause

Back2School Drive in 35 states, in 70 + cities, over 30 days;

Calls on Community For Donations
Stone Mountain, GA, Aug 4th, 2018 - On August 4th, 2018, the national non-profit, ICNA RELIEF (Islamic Circle of North America Relief; www.icnarelief.org), will distribute 1200 backpacks and supplies to children in need, as part of  their #OneNationOneCause Back2School Drive. Guests of honor are Congressman Hank Johnson, Vice Mayor of Clarkston Awet Eyasu, Dekalb County Fire Rescue Team, City of Clarkston Police Department, local councilmen, and education board members.
“School supplies shouldn’t be luxuries but, for 1 in 5 children in America, they are,” said Hamid Qureshi, Regional Director, ICNA Relief Atlanta. “At school supplies distributions across the nation, we have struggling families lining up hours. We want every child to have a chance at a great school year. We invite the community to join us in donating brand new supplies at 3 locations listed below and to make financial contributions at icnarelief.org/back2school. We need at least 1,200 of each item.” You can also support ICNA Relief USA Programs via AmazonSmile. Below is the supply list.
Distribution event: Aug 4, 2018

Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Venue: The Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave Clarkston, GA 30021.

There are 2 smaller distributions in August, as well.
ICNA Relief Atlanta is partnering with local faith groups, non-profits, libraries and village halls including: The Baig Firm, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Interfaith Children's movement (ICM), Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta, , New American Pathways, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Georgia, Center of Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS), Atlanta Community Food Bank, U & M family Eyecare, CDF: A Collective Action Initiative, Refugee Women's Network, Inc., International Rescue Committee Atlanta (IRC), SCN Atlanta/Georgians for Syrian Refugees, WellCare Health Plans, Refuge Coffee Co., Madina Restaurant, Georgia Tamil Muslim Association, Maryam Masjid, Taubah Academy, Project Hope Atlanta, Catholic Charities Atlanta, Ambu-Link Ambulance Service, United Muslim Relief: Atlanta Chapter, Helping the Community, Gwinnett Islamic Center, Masjid Omar Bin Abdul Aziz, Masjid Al-Hedaya, Masjid Uthman, and The Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam.
“This drive, #OneNationOneCause, is an expression of solidarity.  We stand together, and are committed to being there for our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable. These are Islamic principles and universal human values in action. We are grateful to all our partners for coming together as one,” said Mr. Maqsood Ahmed, ICNA Relief CEO.
In 2017 alone, ICNA Relief distributed 27,075 backpacks with supplies, in 187 locations in 26 states. Since 2009, ICNA Relief has distributed 150,000 backpacks filled with supplies, nationwide to needy children. Check out thisBack2School video to get a glimpse of what we do. Its services through 56 chapters, include 15 transitional shelters for women and children, car donations, refugee assimilation programs, professional counseling and food pantries.

SUPPLY LIST
-Spiral Notebooks

-2 pocket Folders

-Pencils

-Rulers

-Sharpeners

-Erasers

-Glue sticks

-Scissors

-Crayon Boxes

-Loose Leaf Paper

-Composition Notebooks

-3 Ring Binders

-Highlighters

COLLECTION POINTS
Ship/drop off supplies to

1. 
   ICNA Relief Food Pantry, 6200 Memorial Drive, Suite J, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Drop off from Friday-Sunday at 3:00PM-6:00PM.
   
2. 
   Two local mosques are also serving as collection points.
   

- Masjid Al-Hedaya, 968 Powder Springs St. Marietta, GA 30064.

- Gwinnett Islamic Circle (GIC), 50 Old Peachtree Rd. Suite 211, Suwanee, GA 30024.
The following states have events: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IOWA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI and Puerto Rico.

Please RSVP by Thursday, August 2nd, 2018.

To volunteer, donate, be a sponsor, or to partner email [e-mail].

Financial contributions can be made aticnarelief.org/back2school.

Deadline for donations: August 25^th, 2018.

Follow ICNA Relief Atlanta on Facebook @ icnaga

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