The Cochrane Syrian Refugee Sponsorship Group (CSRSG) is just $5,000 short of its fundraising goal for the two Syrian families that arrived from the war-torn Middle Eastern country earlier this year.
The sponsorship group started fundraising at the beginning of the year in preparation to help two families from Syria start a new life in Cochrane – with a monetary target of $40,000.
The families unexpectedly arrived almost a month earlier on Feb. 14 at the Calgary International Airport. The first family was newlywed couple Safaa Alkhoury and Louay Ghassan, and the second family was Ramez Assaf and Farah Roba, with their three children, Butrus, 5, Maressa, 3, and Sharbl (born Jan. 14).
With the help of community support and the sponsorship group, the families were placed in temporary housing for approximately a month before moving into a more permanent situation with the majority of household necessities donated by the community and area businesses.
“We are really grateful for everyone’s generosity and the volume of support we have received,” said Mike Poettcke, CSRSG member.
Five months into the families’ resettlement, the fundraising goal was readjusted because transportation costs were not initially included in the budget and there were additional costs for automobile insurance and upkeep.
To address those needs, the fundraising goal was increased to $55,000 – more than $50,000 has already been raised, including a recent $5,000 donation from Home Treasures.
“The families have been doing really good … they are working really hard on their English studies,” Poettcke said.
Both families were enrolled in the English studies programs through LINK, which ended in June, with Ramez continuing his English studies with the help of tutors over the summer – the studies will resume in the fall. Ghassan has already gained employment through a local dealership, while Alkhoury wants to start looking for employment in the fall.
In a semi-regular newsletter from the sponsorship group, organizers stated that the families are still adjusting to life in Canada but they are “making progress and new friends all the time.”
“Most of the comments I have heard from the Syrian families is that Canada is peaceful and they haven’t been able to enjoy that for a long time – they don’t have to be afraid for their lives anymore, ” Poettcke said.
With $5,000 left to fundraise, the sponsorship group members said they are planning two fall fundraisers, including one concert that is in the organizing stages. The other fundraiser is being brainstormed.
The group also continues to accept monetary donations.
If anyone would like to donate to either or both families, the sponsorship group is accepting monetary or cheque donations. The cheque donations can be written out to “Franciscan Friars” and donors may add “Syrian refugee campaign” to their cheques. Donations can be dropped off at the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) office at the corner of 2nd Ave. and 2nd St. in Cochrane or online at mountstfrancis.ca.
