June 19, 2023
Dear Valued Volunteers and Friends of Plattsburgh Cares,
Considering the recent informal training for volunteers you may have attended several weeks ago, and to other close friends and allies of Plattsburgh Cares, the Executive Committee of Plattsburgh Cares would like to share a difficult message with you. Kathy Sajor, President of the Executive Committee, and on behalf of the committee, sent out the following message to area elected officials and community leaders, advising them that our current circumstances force us to refocus our work.
Kathy’s emailed letter is bolded below.
June 18, 2023
Dear Community Leaders,
This coming Tuesday, June 20th, is World Refugee Day, making the following announcement even more poignant and difficult. On behalf of the Executive Committee of Plattsburgh Cares, it is with deep regret and a very heavy heart that I must inform you that Plattsburgh Cares will no longer be able to provide financial support or humanitarian assistance to those traveling through our area. Our bank balance will soon be depleted, probably in the next week or so, due to the extraordinary demands since the end of March when the STCA agreement was expanded. We will not be able to respond to calls to assist those in need of emergency food, transportation, lodging, or other supplies.
We regret that our humanitarian efforts were unable to keep pace with the unprecedented needs in our area. The numbers of stranded travelers proved more than we could manage with our limited resources. We have done what we can to support those in need since 2017; but, given the current crisis, we cannot go forward without the funds to help. It will take a coordinated effort to meet these extraordinary needs at this critical time.
We remain confident that the community leaders, those in government, local organizations, and religious institutions, will work to find creative, value-based solutions to address this ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Most sincerely,
Kathy S. Sajor, President, Plattsburgh Cares
We are sorry to break this news to you; however, it was important to let you all know of this current situation. Other concerned citizens who know you’ve worked with Plattsburgh Cares may observe travelers in distress and reach out to you to do something to help. Regretfully, Plattsburgh Cares is no longer in a position to offer humanitarian aid (food, shelter or transportation) to the many folks still trying to make their way to Canada, having been turned back by Canadian border authorities and turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Just to clarify, Plattsburgh Cares is not closing shop entirely. We are and will continue to offer help when and where we can, but not with financial assistance. We are in the process of reorganizing and refocusing our attention to where we can assist in alleviating the suffering of those caught up in this humanitarian crisis.
Thank you for your understanding and for being a helper in our beloved community.
The Executive Committee of Plattsburgh Cares