The Welcoming Communities committee is moving forward with its plans to sponsor a Syrian refugee family of three.
Earlier this summer the committee decided to sponsor a single mother with two young children. The 28-year-old mother has two young boys, ages two and one. The mother speaks both Arabic and English, has completed post-secondary education and has worked as a civil engineer.
Committee members recently added to their fundraising efforts with a multi-family garage sale Sept 17 at the Church of the Nazarene from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We've had waves of people coming in today. I think at one point we had about 30 people in here, so it's gone very well,” said Beverley Bates, committee member. “We are hoping to raise over the $500 mark and I think we might have accomplished that.”
The committee gathered household items, dishes, books, scrapbooking materials, clothing, electronics, baby furniture, CDs and other donated items to sell for the fundraiser.
“We have two young boys that are serving cookies and coffee for a dollar each and that money raised will go towards (fundraising efforts) as well,” she added.
In total the Welcoming Communities committee raised about $1,300 from the weekend fundraiser. That money, along with a couple of additional donations will go towards the required $23,000 – the minimum amount that's needed to sponsor and support a family of three.
“We know that lots of people like to donate things to help out,” said Bates, noting the garage sale is one of several fundraisers the committee is expected to hold this year. “Getting the community involved was a good way of raising the money and it's a great way for people to feel like they're a part of it (the efforts to bring a Syrian refugee family to Innisfail).”
For more information visit Welcoming Communities on Facebook.
Beverley Bates
"Getting the community involved was a good way of raising the money and it's a great way for people to feel like they're a part of it."
