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Ann Voskamp raises big money for ISIS refugees Print Email
Written by Jeremy Burns   
Thursday, 04 June 2015 03:39 PM America/New_York

Ann-VoskampNew York Times best-selling author Ann Voskamp has raised more than $500,000 to support Iraqi refugees displaced by ISIS—in just three days.

The author of the Zondervan-published book One Thousand Gifts visited Iraq in March and met with mothers forced to live in shipping containers now that the so-called Islamic State group had taken over their hometowns.

Voskamp again brought attention to the plight of these refugees last month after ISIS overran the Iraqi city of Ramadi. In a moving blog post, she offered personal anecdotes, chilling examples of atrocities visited upon the refugees by ISIS and vivid photos of the women and children affected by the crisis.

She closed with a call to action, including a link to the nonprofit organization Preemptive Love Coalition, which endeavors to help Iraqi refugees. Within three days of her posting that link, donations soared a half-million dollars.

"Before Ann's post, interest in helping the people of Iraq had decreased dramatically," said Preemptive Love Executive Director Jeremy Courtney in a statement. "There was a sense that perhaps nothing could be done to combat ISIS and nothing could be done to address the suffering they've introduced to Iraq.

"Ann inspired and mobilized thousands of people from across the world to a greater vision," Courtney added. "She reminded us all that the only way to drive out darkness is with light; the greatest weapon against hatred is love."