In 1981 the Adelaide Lithuanian Catholic Women society contacted the United Lithuanian Relief Fund of America (Bendras Amerikos Lietuvių Fondas A Šalpos) (BALFAS). The society had decided that it would like to outreach to Lithuanians in the Suvalkija triangle. Suwałki Region is a small region around the city of Suwałki in northeastern Poland near the border with Lithuania. The territory was disputed between Poland and Lithuania after World War II.
A Stepenienė
from Adelaide knew that BALFAS had connections with that area and asked for
families to contact. BALFAS had for many
years had been providing aid, mainly in the form of clothes. Each month they sent 40-50 parcels of good
clothes and food.
The letters written in Lithuanian usually gave an outline of
the dire straits families were living in.
No specific requests were made, just asking for assistance. In that year the society received about 32
letters, to which all were responded to.
The women collected clothing items, sorted into packages based on what
was mentioned in the letters. Clothing,
shoes, coats, jumpers, ties and children’s clothes were packaged some up to 18
kg and posted.
The United Lithuanian Relief Fund of America has been able
to assist thousands of Lithuanian refugees in Europe and elsewhere with some
much needed food, clothing, and medicine. Significant aid and clothing
contributions came from the Catholic hierarchy. The rest came mainly as
personal donations from thousands of Lithuanians in numerous parishes, Clubs,
and societies throughout the United States.
Reference
http://www.lituanus.org/1956/56_3_06Boley.html
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