Local churches are partnering to host an interfaith, non-partisan community event and donation drive to bless refugees who have been forced from their home countries and resettled to the Seattle area.

The “Community Blessings for Refugees” event will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Puyallup Stake building, 512 Valley Ave. E. in Sumner.

The event will feature the Tacoma Refugee Choir and a guest speaker from the International Rescue Committee, a refugee resettlement agency.

The purpose of the event is two-fold. One is education and orientation to give information to those wanting to serve and volunteer to help refugees. The speaker’s presentation serves as a general orientation to the many volunteer opportunities within the IRC organization. There is a possibility of a second orientation specific to those who are interested in tutoring refugee children/families in English.

The second purpose is a donation drive. Refugees have been forced out of their homes and their country and, as a result, they have a variety of needs. At the May 20 event, organizers hope to collect donations of clothing, toiletries, food, school supplies, household needs, furniture and more.

Donations may be taken to the event. Any individual of organization interested in participating can contact Dan Packer at us.danpacker@gmail.com.