Donate Sewing Machines

Can You Donate A Sewing Machine for Refugee Women? More than 100 refugee women have been helped by the We Do Together sewing class that Mount Olivet’s refugee ministry helped start. The class is a place for these women to learn sewing skills … to make new friends … and to help them succeed in their new community. 

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Our Latest Class Graduates Soon - And We Need Your Help. As in the past, each graduate receives a new sewing machine donated by supporters like you (details below). This is the fifth class of students in this initiative, which was started and led by former Afghan refugees and supported by Mount Olivet UMC, Fairlington UMC (which hosts the classes), and the refugee ministry of Christ Church Episcopal.

Whether you have donated before or this is your first time, the sewing machine you donate is a wonderful way to support newcomers in our area.

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About This Innovative Program. Now U.S. citizens, Forozan and Attaulhaq Mirwais founded We Do Together to assist others who, like them, came to the U.S. as refugees. The class teaches women from Afghanistan and other countries sewing skills they can use to find employment and make extra income for their families.

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The items they sew are also offered online on the We Do Together website and in its Pop-Up Shop which has appeared in area farmer’s markets, holiday bazaars, church gatherings, and local store events. These items are sold under their own brand name and logo: Afghan Threads.

Suggested Donation Details. To donate a new machine, here is an affordable choice: Brother XM3700 Machine. 37 Built-in Stitches, 5 Included Sewing Feet, 17.5 x 7.6 x 14.25 inches. White. Amazon has an affordable one here. Or, you can send a check for the cost of the machine. The class can also use donations of gift cards to obtain sewing supplies, such as threads, needles, etc. Direct donations of fabric are especially welcome. ‍

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We Do Together is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are tax deductible. The initiative and its supporting organizations are also exploring grant opportunities to help the initiative become self-sustaining.

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Send online purchases or checks and gift cards to: We Do Together, 1524 N. Ivanhoe St. Arlington, VA 22205. Have questions? Email Kenn Speicher for more information.