Happy September from the team at MAA!
Labor day
Labor Day commemorates the achievements of American workers. Its marked in our calendars with end-of-summer BBQs, parties, and parades. However, many Americans do no know the history behind the holiday; they just know not to wear white pants after it passes. For someone looking to learn more about the holiday’s origin in one of the darkest periods of American labor history, click here.
And if you haven’t made LDW plans, here are some ideas for those in the DC area!
Hurricane ida
Exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina, the Southern coast of the US was hit by another devastating hurricane. Hurricane Ida swept roofs off buildings, flooded the streets of Louisiana and Mississippi, and moved its storm damage up to the east coast. Hundreds of thousands of people have been left without power and businesses have been destroyed.
Here are some lists of organizations raising money for the neighborhoods impacted by the storm:
https://time.com/6093916/how-to-help-hurricane-ida/
https://www.feedthesecondline.org/
https://labucketbrigade.salsalabs.org/inclusivedonate/index.html
https://unitedhoumanation.org/donate/
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/anothergulfispossible
Afghan refugees
There will be over 3,000 Afghan refugees resettling in the DC area after the crisis in Afghanistan. They are arriving in American airports with the clothes on their back and likely nothing more. There are a variety of local companies and businesses organizing donations or fundraisers to support the refugees. Here are some links to find out more about how you can help:
Learn more about the refugees and their needs at the Afghan Diaspora Hub
Buy a sandwich at one of these restaurants - all proceeds go to Afghan refugees
Donate to these organizations so they can help resettle the refugees
And as we prepare to welcome the refugees to our communities, here is some helpful information about how to be as neighborly as possible.
best thing on the internet this week
A cute dog-duo to brighten your week!