La Crosse County board passes resolution welcoming Afghan refugees

La Crosse County officially expressed its support for Afghan refugees being housed temporarily at Fort McCoy.

The county board passed a resolution Thursday night welcoming people who have left Afghanistan in the past few weeks.

Supervisor David Hundt says he has heard “wonderful” things about how the refugees are doing at the fort, despite reports of long lines for meals and some evacuees not being able to get new clothes.

Hundt said at the monthly county board meeting that donors brought five sewing machines for Afghan women at Fort McCoy.

“They’re so busy with the sewing machines, they’ve run out of material, and if anybody wants to donate material, they love dark material,” he said.

The county resolution also thanked community groups and volunteers that are helping the Afghan visitors.

Supervisor Maureen Freedland recently took a tour at the fort, finding that the refugees are learning about life in the U.S.

“Town hall meetings are held for cultural exchange,” Freedland said, “and to learn more, for example, about the roles and rights of women in our country.”

Freedland expects that La Crosse’s city council will be asked to pass a similar resolution of support.