The Warren Area Refugee Resettlement Network (WARRN) will hold a spaghetti dinner from 4:31 p.m. to 6:17 p.m. Thursday at the First Lutheran Church, 109 W. Third Ave., Warren. The dinner will raise money for WARRN, and thanks to a generous benefactor, all donations will be matched. The menu features spaghetti with homemade sauce, salad, bread, and dessert. Community members are encouraged to drive in, make a donation, and enjoy a delicious dinner–all while supporting a meaningful cause.

Pastor Tom Pierotti, who is the president of WARRN, expressed his gratitude for the community’s support and the role Thursday’s fundraiser will play in assisting local refugee families. WARRN was founded in response to the growing need for a coordinated community and interfaith grassroots effort to support individuals and families affected by war, violence, and displacement. Their mission is to provide meaningful assistance to those who, through no fault of their own, have lost their homes and their sense of belonging in their countries.

“We are so thankful that we can continue this important work,” Pierotti said. “This event is a great opportunity for the community to come together, show generosity, and share in the joy of helping others.”

Currently Warren is home to three refugee families, totaling nine individuals, who have been resettled with the help of WARRN. The organization provides housing, education, healthcare, and daily necessities as these families adjust to their new lives. Since 2022, 20 individuals from Ukraine who had a “soft landing in Warren” have been hosted by local families, church members and even businesses, with ongoing efforts to help them adjust to their new lives.

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Picture is of the Baumanis family when they first arrived on December 24, 1949. Pictured are Maija, Ivars, and Mr. and Mrs Peter Baumanis from Riga, Latvia.

One board member discovered that her grandmother had helped a Lativan family resettle in 1949, the Baumanis family. Linda Kemick is the granddaughter of the family who was helping the Baumanis family 75 years ago and decided to step forward as the event’s benefactor. She has pledged to match all donations made during the dinner, ensuring that each dollar given goes twice as far in supporting refugee resettlement efforts.

Beyond financial contributions, WARRN is actively seeking volunteers to assist in various ways.

“We will need help with fixing up the house we’ve purchased, as well as providing transportation for refugees to medical appointments and free English classes at the church,” Pierotti shared.

Those interested in volunteering can go to weresettle.org to fill out the form or you can e-mail info@weresettle.org for more details on how to get involved.

First Lutheran Church in Warren has a long history of supporting refugees, dating back to 1949. The church played a pivotal role in welcoming the Baumanis family, who fled Latvia during World War II and arrived in the United States in 1949. A letter from Elizabethe Baumanis, written in 1987, provides a touching account of their arrival in Warren and the overwhelming kindness they received.

Elizabethe described how the train was bustling with people when they arrived, and they struggled with the language barrier, trying to confirm their destination. As they neared Warren, she recalled her husband being pleased by the surrounding woods, which reminded him of good hunting grounds. Upon arrival, they were met by Pastor Rogers, who introduced them to his family and later escorted them to their new home at the Parish House adjoining the church.

One of the most emotional moments for the family was being welcomed by the congregation of First Lutheran Church. During their first church service, they were introduced to the community, and though Elizabethe couldn’t understand the sermon, she was moved to tears when the congregation sang “Silent Night.” After the service, members of the church led the family to their apartment but did not enter, leaving them to discover a heartwarming surprise on their own.

“When we opened the door and switched on the light, we couldn’t believe our eyes,” Elizabethe wrote. “There were ‘Showers of Blessings’ under the Christmas tree–half the room was covered with packages, all for us! I was crying, the children were counting and sorting, and we were all like small children opening our gifts. This can only happen in America. I prayed, ‘God bless America and Christian people for each and every gift.'”

The gifts included warm clothing, household essentials, and toys for the children–items that meant the world to a family starting over in a new country with nothing. It was a testament to the generosity and compassion of the Warren community, which continues to this day.

The Baumanis family went on to become proud American citizens. An article from the Times Observer dated August 2, 1955, highlights the momentous day when Peteris, Elizabethe, and their daughter Maija stood before Judge Alexander C. Flock, Jr., and became citizens of the country they had come to love.

“Monday was another outstanding day in the lives of Warren’s little Baumanis family from Latvia, members of which have gone through many pleasant experiences since their memorable arrival on Christmas Eve of 1949,” the article reads. Maija spoke on behalf of the family, stating, “Which we dearly love,” referring to their new homeland.