The following are the official channels that Fort McCoy would like to use to collect donations, volunteers and other incoming help. Please feel free to share this information with your constituents. They want to make sure that all donations and offers to help are received and managed efficiently and effectively. Funneling generosity through these three entities will help in that effort.

There has been a generous outpouring of support from the local community asking for ways to help the vulnerable Afghans being welcomed and temporarily sheltered here at Fort McCoy. While the American Red Cross is aggressively working to meet the immediate needs of our growing population, there are many things the local community can do to help.

- The American Red Cross has more than 50 personnel on the ground here at Fort McCoy to provide critical care and help to our Afghan guests. Your financial gifts will help the American Red Cross continue to fund efforts to help the people affected by this crisis: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html

- Team Rubicon partnered with the American Red Cross to coordinate local volunteers and donors throughout the Wisconsin community to improve the well-being of our Afghan guests. More information about Team Rubicon and how to volunteer is available at https://teamrubiconusa.org/volunteer

- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, launched a campaign to provide assistance (https://cclse.org/afghanistan-refugee-assistance/). They are accepting donations at 3710 East Avenue South in La Crosse, and they have a gift registry set up through https://smile.amazon.com/gp/clpf/ref=smi_se_clpf_rd_clpf or by searching “AmazonSmile charities lists.” Amazon Smile allows donors to purchase needed items and have them shipped directly.

We will continue to update information on these and other volunteer and donation opportunities as they become available. Again, thank you for your continued efforts as we band together -- military and civilian -- to share the hope of a new start to those in need.