INNISFAIL – It was a Valentine’s Tea for a cause.
Innisfail’s Welcoming Communities committee held a Valentine-themed fundraiser on Feb. 16 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Innisfail.
The fundraiser was in support of the single-parent Syrian refugee family of three they are sponsoring.
"We wanted to choose something around a special day or event so that families could go out and enjoy an evening together,” said committee treasurer Jill Pedersen. "There are things for everyone to enjoy. We have some games at the tables, a chocolate fountain with fruit and cake, coffee, tea and juice, and there’s some local entertainment.”
The event was presented in cooperation with the Innisfail Girl Guide First Rangers.
"I think it’s always great when we can get people together in community, not only for fundraising but to bring people together for a fun night and to support local entertainment,” said Rev. Kathy Calkins, committee contact representative. "We are happy with the turnout.”
Calkins said they will continue fundraising for the family.
"Now that we have a good amount of fundraising (completed), we still want to do more,” said Calkins, noting the committee may hold more specific fundraisers in the future. "We may have fewer events, but more focused ones because we have some experience now as to what has been good fundraisers for us in the past.”
Duaa Mohammad Alhariri and her two young sons, Hadi and Omar, are still awaiting approval to come to Canada.
"As a committee we were approved by Immigration Canada (in June) to sponsor a family. The next step is to get Duaa and her family approved to come here,” explained Pedersen. "It’s a two-step process and that’s where it seems to have hit a wall. She hasn’t been contacted yet (by Immigration Canada).”
There’s been an outpouring of support from the Innisfail community, including from families and local businesses as well.
"We’ve had lots of individual support, lots of corporate support and our events have been well attended,” said Pedersen.
In addition, local non-profit organizations and several churches have also stepped up to help bring the Syrian refugee family to Innisfail.
The committee has also reached out to Red Deer-Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen and recently sent him a letter to inquire about the apparent delay.
"If we don’t hear something in the near future we’ll follow that up with another request,” Pedersen concluded.
Jill Pedersen, committee treasurer
"We wanted to choose something around a special day or event so that families could go out and enjoy an evening together."
