The first Syrian family could arrive in Jasper any day now.
The family of three was approved to come to Canada on Dec. 31, but there is still no word on when they will arrive, said Nancy Addison, who has spearheaded the initiative to resettle the family in Jasper.
“We are on pins and needles hoping and praying for any word every day that passes,” wrote Addison in an email.
In the meantime, the community raised $8,355 during a fundraising event held at Karouzos Steakhouse last week.
Dubbed “Sweets for Syria,” the event included a buffet of desserts, live music and a silent auction.
“We’re very happy with the amount we raised, but also very happy that people went away happy,” said Magda Mahler, a committee member who helped organize the silent auction.
“It just shows what a great community we live in,” said Mahler. “We all work within our community, but can also think outside of our community and it’s not only the right thing to do for the Syrian refugees, but this community also comes together when things happen within the community.”
To date the group has raised more than $50,000 to support two Syrian families that will soon arrive in town. The group hopes to raise $70,000, or $35,000 for each family, to support them through their first year in Jasper.
The second family, sponsored by Rod and Beth Tower, was recently reunited in Egypt after the father was separated from his wife and three children for 241 days due to visa issues.
It’s not clear when that family will arrive, but both Rod and Beth are hopeful it will happen sooner rather than later.
While the community waits for Hassan, Omayea and Reham to arrive, Addison spent the past week putting the finishing touches on the family’s home, stocking their pantry with food items she purchased at an Arabic store in Edmonton.
To keep the ball rolling, two more fundraisers have been organized for February.
The first fundraiser will be a live show by Red Moon Road, a musical trio from Manitoba, who will entertain people at the Alpine Summit Senior’s Lodge on Feb 4. The show begins at 7 p.m. and entry is by donation.
The second fundraiser will be a Syrian themed dinner held at the Jasper Activity Centre on Feb. 7. at 5:30 p.m.
The Rotary Club of Jasper is hosting the dinner, which is part of a series of Sunday dinners organized by Jasper’s Community and Family Services.
Sue Cesco, community chair for the Rotary Club, said the dinner is by donation and she hopes that, if everything goes according to plan, the Syrian family will be able to be there to enjoy the meal along with the community.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 11,342 Syrian refugees have arrived in Canada since Nov. 4. Another 14,657 refugee settlement applications are in progress and 5,888 refugee applications have been finalized, but the applicants have not yet travelled to Canada.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
