Church of the Redeemer Rector Fr. Charleston Wilson & Senior Warden Janet Trefry present a $60,000 check to Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman & Deputy Mubarak to help Mubarak’s family members.

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman reached out to Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota, Fla., to help him lead an effort to assist family members of a local law enforcement officer who immigrated to the U.S. after serving U.S. agencies in Afghanistan.

The 35 Afghan refugees, ranging in age from young children to older adults, have evacuated Afghanistan. There are plans for them to live in the Sarasota area.

Redeemer has donated an initial gift of $60,000 toward these efforts. The money will be used for immediate needs at the Sheriff’s discretion, including food, school supplies, and other necessities.

Church of the Redeemer Rector Fr. Charleston Wilson, along with Redeemer Senior Warden Janet Trefry, presented a check for $60,000 to Sheriff Hoffman and Deputy Mubarak on Sept. 3.

Parishioners are continuing to give toward the effort, and there will be future hands-on opportunities for parishioners to help with basic needs as well.

Through this gift, Redeemer demonstrates that as Christians we believe all people are precious in the sight of God. The donation also demonstrates the speed at which Christians can come together to help those in need.

“We had been praying about how to make a difference in the unfolding tragedy in Afghanistan,” said Fr. Wilson, “and Sheriff Hoffman gave us a local connection to an international calamity.”