The plight of Kosovar refugees has touched the hearts of more than 300 people in Peachtree City who have signed up through their church, Holy Trinity Catholic, to sponsor families.

Gerry Carolan-Tolbert, a parishioner and volunteer who helps house and escort orphans in transit from foreign countries, appealed for help Sunday for the influx of refugees heading to the Atlanta area through Catholic Social Services.

“We have enough interest to take on a family,” she said. “People have promised enough household supplies for about 10 families; we're very well positioned.”

Tonight at 7 p.m., a meeting to organize committees and set the wheels in motion to welcome a refugee family to Fayette County will be conducted in Loretto Hall at Holy Trinity on Walt Banks Road at Ga. Highway 54. Carolan-Tolbert said she hopes other local churches also will take on sponsorships.

A representative from the Atlanta office of Catholic Social Services is currently visiting Fort Dix, N.J. to learn more about relocating families to the metro area. All parishes in Atlanta's Catholic Archdiocese have been asked to sponsor families.

Carolan-Tolbert said she hopes this will be the start of a ongoing movement to help other refugee families, not only from Kosovo, but from other countries as well.

Providing the family with a shelter, employment and household supplies is just the beginning, Carolan-Tolbert explained. “We need people to help them learn the English language and acquaint them with the area,” she said.

Tonight's meeting is open to anyone interested in this humanitarian effort.

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