NLSA hosts furniture drive for Lutheran Social Services refugee program The UND Nonprofit Leadership Student Association (NLSA) is hosting a Furniture Drive for New American Services -— a program of Lutheran Social Services -— from 10 a.m to 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 20. The organization is looking for donations of gently used furniture that is in good condition, including box springs and bed frames (no mattresses, please); dressers or shelves for clothing; kitchen tables and chairs; couches and living room chairs; lamps; coffee and end tables; television/media stands; microwave ovens and microwave oven stands; and bedside tables. The organization requests that mattresses not be included in donations. You can drop off your donation at St. Mary’s Church Gymnasium at 216 Belmont Road in Grand Forks on Saturday, Feb. 20, or call 777-3741 if you have a donation that you would like picked up. NLSA will be picking up items from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. The event will benefit New American Services (NAS), a Lutheran Social Service organization that works with federal agencies to help refugees establish homes in North Dakota after they are approved for entry into the U.S. NAS aims to help refugees achieve economic self-sufficiency as soon as possible. Partnerships play a vital role in a successful resettlement experience. Donations of furniture and similar household items will help NAS to set up dwellings for refugees resettling in the region. The need is great as the Grand Forks branch of NAS resettles approximately eighty refugees per year, and that number is growing. The NLSA is also working with the Grand Forks Public Schools Youth Commission as well as area churches in soliciting donations of “totes” that are filled with supplies for bathroom, kitchen and household basics. The NLSA is affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences Nonprofit Leadership Program, which offers both an 18 credit certificate program and a 21 credit minor. The Program develops competencies in understanding nonprofit organizations and the role of meeting human needs and the diversity of groups in society. -- Juan Pedraza, Writer/Editor, University Relations, juanpedraza@mail.und.edu, 777-6571