We have all heard the recent news about the Syrian Crisis (March will mark the fifth year of war in Syria) and we have a few groups in our area working on bringing some refugee families here.

Working with the Cranbrook Hub for Refugees (CHR), as we see the first wave of refugees arriving in Canada, we look forward to the day when our refugee family arrives in Cranbrook.

The family that arrives may not necessarily be Syrian. We welcome any refugee family no matter where they come from. Refugees selected for resettlement to Canada have often fled their homes because of unimaginable hardships and have, in many cases, been forced to live in refugee camps for many years. When they arrive in Canada, they basically pick up the pieces of their lives and start over again.

Of course, with any endeavor of this size, fundraising is key. Government regulations require that we have $15,000 out of $40,000 for a family of four prior to approval as a sponsoring group (estimate at local cost factors is more like $47,000).

Cranbrook residents are already responding generously. We now have the initial amount required for CHR’s sponsorship agreement to be approved and have a total of approximately $19,000 donated so far.

In sponsorship with the Fisher Peaks Performing Artists Society and the Prestige Inn, we will be hosting a dinner and dance with silent auction on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Prestige Inn.

Tickets are available from the Prestige Inn, Snapd East Kootenay (online), Lotus Books and CHR members for $35 each. Children 10 and under free.

Our goal is to raise at least the next $10,000 that we need. It would be wonderful to see our community rise to the occasion and raise all of the $40,000!

If you would like more information, please contact Verna Oderkirk-Bungay at 250-919-0401.

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