To: National Desk

Contact: Becky Graninger, World Relief, 443-451-1900

BALTIMORE, June 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- When Lloyd Evans retired after 33 years working at a local hardware store, he had withdrawal symptoms. “I really missed chatting with different people who came into the store,” he explains.

Then Lloyd’s church, Maple Valley Presbyterian in Seattle, helped a refugee family from the Middle East adjust to life in the United States. Lloyd didn’t know anything about refugees, but he decided to get involved. The plight of the family transformed Lloyd’s life, giving him a new perspective on those who come to America with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing.

For the past 10 years, he has volunteered full-time with Christian agency World Relief, an organization that helps refugees when they come to America.

Lloyd has put in a total of 20,000 volunteer hours, delivering donated furniture and household items to refugee families, including Muslims and Buddhists. Through Lloyd’s efforts and the generosity of World Relief’s supporters, almost 4,000 refugees have experienced the compassion of Americans.

On Tuesday, June 20 – World Refugee Day – Lloyd will receive one of the top public service awards in the nation, recognizing his outstanding commitment to refugees in the Seattle area.

Following a reception with U.S. Senators on Capitol Hill, Lloyd will be presented with the Jefferson Award at a black tie ceremony at Union Station in Washington, D.C.

World Refugee Day spotlights the plight of some 19 million refugees today – the “forgotten” victims of war and religious or political persecution who have been forced to flee their homelands. Each year, the United States welcomes up to 70,000 refugees offering hope to a small percentage of those who face persecution around the globe.

World Relief, the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals in the U.S., works with local churches across the nation to help resettle refugees, providing housing, cultural orientation, English language classes, medical referrals, job assistance and other services that set refugees on the path to self-sufficiency and successful integration.


Photo available on request. Contact: Becky Graninger 443-451-1900