Buffalo Shop Raises Funds for Refugee Services with Stunning Cultural Flag Display
Inspired Buffalo, a shop located on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo, New York, is making a heartfelt effort to support Journey’s End Refugee Services by organizing a fundraising campaign. The campaign revolves around celebrating diversity and cultural heritage through a stunning display of different cultural flags arranged in the shape of a Buffalo, the city’s iconic symbol. The funds raised will be utilized to meet the needs of refugees in the community.
Shop owner Marinette Kozlow has meticulously arranged 180 flags inside a Buffalo, transforming them into various merchandise such as magnets, shirts, cups, earrings, and even a puzzle. The display aims to capture the essence of different cultures while promoting unity and inclusivity. Kozlow’s motivation for supporting Journey’s End stems from her own personal experiences as she can empathize with the journey of refugees who come to Buffalo.
Kozlow’s family migrated from Lebanon to the United States in the 1970s, seeking the American Dream. Reflecting on her upbringing, she recalls the financial hardships her family faced and the hurdles they had to overcome. Her mother, in particular, worked tirelessly to make ends meet, even resorting to picking items from the garbage. Kozlow grew up without a bed until the age of 7½, sleeping on the floor as it was the norm for her.
The funds raised through this campaign will greatly benefit Journey’s End Refugee Services, an organization that depends on the generosity of Western New York’s community. Kozlow emphasizes the importance of supporting them as they help refugees settle and rebuild their lives in a new country. The community’s involvement plays a crucial role in the success of such organizations.
Customers like Barbara Rickard commend the initiative and its celebration of diversity. As someone with Polish and Italian heritage, Rickard purchased magnets from Inspired Buffalo and shared them with her family, receiving enthusiastic praise. Rickard believes that diversity adds value to the community, fostering unity and encouraging individuals to be compassionate towards one another.
Inspired Buffalo hopes that this campaign will resonate with others and encourage them to embrace their own heritage while recognizing the richness that cultural diversity brings to the United States. Kozlow expresses her love for both her Lebanese background and her adopted country. She firmly believes that the United States is a mosaic of cultures, and it is this diversity that makes it so special.
A significant portion, 20% of the proceeds from the sales of the cultural flag merchandise, will be donated to Journey’s End Refugee Services. The fundraising campaign will run until November 15th, at midnight. To visit Inspired Buffalo or make a purchase, appointments must be scheduled by calling 716-545-5544. The shop operates from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
This inspiring initiative by Inspired Buffalo not only raises funds for Journey’s End Refugee Services but also fosters appreciation for cultural diversity. By intertwining symbols of different cultures within the shape of a Buffalo, the campaign promotes unity and inclusivity, reminding us that we are all part of a larger global community.
