By Miriam Raftery

Mimi Pollack, a writer for East County Magazine, a La Mesa resident and a teacher at Grossmont College, has launched a GoFundMe account to help a nonprofit assisting refugees from the Middle East and Africa who have flooded into Europe after fleeing violence in their homelands. Masses of migrants have been forced to camp in a park, lacking basic needs such as clothing and shelter with winter fast approaching.  You can donate to the fund here:  http://www.gofundme.com/6k3w8pu4         

Pollack writes, “I have been deeply saddened by the plight of the immigrants/refugees arriving in Europe. The picture of the little Syrian boy was also very disturbing,” she adds, referring to a photo of a child who drowned after his family, like thousands more, risked their lives aboard a boat that overturned in the Mediterranean Sea.  There is a crisis going on in Europe right now, and in my own, small way, I want to help."