The first thing Newtown resident Lia Levitt did when she learned a group of Afghan refugees was arriving in the area with little more than the clothes on their backs, was dig in to be sure the place they eventually rested their weary heads was furnished and comfortable.

She put out a few notices on social networks and the “Nicer In Newtown” thing we see so often across this community shifted into high gear.

Donations were pledged and started coming in to the point where the Newtown Congregational Church opened up a temporary storage space while a larger one was sought, and Newtowner Dave Ackert pitched in with a company truck to shuttle the donations to where they needed to be.

Another dozen dedicated volunteers lent their services putting in many hours in various capacities ensuring donations were received, readied, sorted, delivered, and staged. And you — every one of the hundreds of donors to date — all played vital roles to made it happen.

It is times like these we can feel most proud to live in Newtown. At the same time, it is efforts like this that set an example — to our kids, to Connecticut, to our country.

In the past few weeks and in the coming months, tens of thousands of Afghan refugees will be seeking a new home in America where they can continue to celebrate freedom and escape oppressive Taliban rule.

Many of those arriving have in some way already helped, protected, or served our country. Over the past 20 years, more than 50,000 Afghans interpreters and translators have worked shoulder to shoulder with US troops and officials; and thousands more have acted as intermediaries or fixers to ensure the safety or protection of US interests.

Reuters reports that Special Immigrant Visas or SIVs are available to those who aided US forces and who fear reprisals by the Taliban, while other arriving Afghans have sought or may seek US asylum or similar forms of relief, advocates say.

Those SIV holders, their loved ones, and approved applicants are eventually assigned to a local resettlement agency after days or weeks of health, security, and eligibility vetting.

Hundreds have or will be settling — temporarily or permanently — in Connecticut, where municipal officials and residents are opening their communities and in some cases their own homes to these weary, long-distance travelers. Numerous community leaders have already stepped out vocally defending the effort, including Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, a Navy veteran, who rightly said, “This is about what it means to be American, that we stand by those who stand by us.”

Newtown residents who want to get involved or continue their support are urged to become familiar with CIRI, the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, and IRIS, Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services. These two agencies are coordinating the arrival and resettlement of Afghans arriving in Connecticut and offer myriad ways to learn about and help the effort.

Or just keep your eyes on The Newtown Bee and your ears open in your neighborhood, religious or service group, or social networks to find out how to join others as your hometown continues to provide a nicer reception to our recently arriving refugees.