IRC Thanksgiving Brings Holiday Joy to Over 100 Refugees Resettled in New York City

More than 100 refugees from Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Cuba, Liberia, Columbia, Burma and other war-torn countries celebrated Thanksgiving on Tuesday, November 26, with staff and volunteers at IRC headquarters in New York city.

For many, it was their first Thanksgiving since finding refuge in the United States. Highlights of the evening included a traditional Burmese dance performed by  eight-year old Soe Sanda Aung, and remarks from Ishmael Kamara about the meaning of  Thanksgiving for families like his own who fled violence and persecution and came to America in search of freedom.

George Rupp, IRC President, carved the Turkey and joined volunteers Sandra Walker, Nick Tasto, Nakyung Han, Dee Maguire, Bill Bailey, Raul Ortega and Heghine Hakabyan in serving the festive, traditional dinner.

Special thanks go to Annie's Homegrown Macaroni and Cheese, a sponsor of the event for donating over 150 boxes of their product, and Sacred Heart School for putting together more than fifty bags of groceries for the families to take home. Also, many thanks to the Manhattan Restaurant Alonti located at 3rd Avenue and 41st St. for preparing and donating the turkeys. And three cheers to all the IRC staff and friends for delighting everyone with delicious homemade cakes, pies, breads and side dishes.