Fundraising to bring a Syrian refugee family to Halton Hills is about $1,500 closer to its target of $20,000 following a fundraiser at the Red Harp Pub in Acton.
Close to 50 people attended the event held over Valentine’s Day weekend.
“Musicians Phil Lewin, Janice Gittings and Richard Ebbs donated their entertainment for the evening and the Red Harp owners were very accommodating,” said event organizers Barb Brown and Shirley Little.
Several of the committee members, including some from Rockwood and Ospringe, met during the federal election campaign last fall, and it was then that the idea of sponsoring a family was hatched. Soon there were a dozen people committed to the cause.
“We are horrified watching the scenes of devastation and despair on the nightly News. But as the song goes, Tears Are Not Enough. We have to respond to this humanitarian crisis with action,” said sponsor committee chair Pam Sheldon.
Sheldon added, “When it was announced that Syrian refugees would be brought to Canada, some suggested that Halton Hills was too small to offer settlement help. Well, I’ve learned that this town is full of support services and we also have generous and caring residents who will make sure that our new family is assisted with language training, employment and housing. Our town might be small, but it has a big heart.”
A partnership with St. Alban’s Church in Acton allows the group to supply charitable receipts to donors. The church is already sponsoring one refugee family and is waiting for its arrival.
People wishing to support this refugee sponsorship effort can contact Pam Sheldon at 905-878-9103 or Ann Lawlor at m.annlawlor@gmail.com
