wfn.org | North Carolinians to 'blanket' Afghanistan

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Nov. 20, 2001 News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.     10-71B{542}

By Kevin Rippin*

RALEIGH, N.C. (UMNS) -- United Methodists in the church's North Carolina
Conference are planning to "blanket" Afghanistan. 

Under the direction of Bishop Marion Edwards, and in partnership with Stop
Hunger Now, 825 congregations in eastern North Carolina are contributing
money and blankets during the Advent season to help people in Afghanistan --
particularly children - survive the winter.

Last year, every child under the age of two died in a refugee camp near
Dashti Qala, according to officials at Stop Hunger Now.

The blanket drive, named "Advent in Afghanistan: Blanketing Afghanistan
with Love," will demonstrate the connectional power of the church, according
to conference leaders. Districts will collect the money and blankets by
Dec.14 and forward them to the conference's recovery center near Goldsboro.