Bring Syrian Refugees to Summerside
Donation protected
We are a group of community-minded individuals partnering with Summerside Trinity United Church. Our goal is to help two Syrian refugee families resettle in Summerside, PEI. We have applied and have been accepted for the Government of Canada Blended Visa Office-Referred Program - Sponsoring refugees. We need your help!
We need to fundraise approximately $30,000 for expenses in addition to providing material and emotional support for these two families. Our group organizes housing, furniture, clothing, food, and everything they need day-to-day. Update: when we set our goal we were uncertain of the amount we would need. We have since found out we will need at least $2300 mo. for basic necessities for both families x 6 months each for $27,600 at a minimum. In addition we need to completely set up two homes and have funds for any unexpected expenses.
We will welcome two families. Here is what we know so far: Family #1 - Two parents - - four children (age 14, 9, 5, and 3) & Family #2 - Two parents - - child (age 5). Both families are living in refuge in Lebanon.
update November 27, 2015
Family #1 - A representative of our group had two discussions with the father by cell phone. The 3 year old was born as a refugee so they have been there for some time. They are excited to start a new life but also very afraid. They are a working class family, they speak Arabic. We expect to have information soon about clothing sizes soon.
Family #2 - we haven't spoken to them and expect the other family will arrive first. They are both university educated, the father has a PhD and mother is university educated. They speak English, French and Arabic.
These two families have followed all the rules and applied and been accepted through the UN application process. We can't help everyone affected by the crisis, but together we can make a difference for these two families!
In response to questions regarding fundraising:
There are no administation costs for corporate, cash or check donations to the office. No administration costs will be charged by any individual, church or group participating with us. The truck picking up furniture has been donated and everyone on the campaign is a VOLUNTEER. Many of us on the campaign are spending vacation time, days off, weekends and expenses to volunteer, as we should. Some that were retired are working for free almost full-time on the campaign. We have community leaders approaching businesses to contribute, again at no cost. We do not provide recognition for corporate donations. On-line donations have a small charge since we must allow credit cards for those who contributed from several US States, China and four provinces along with numerous communities on PEI. GoFundMe donations are deposited directly from GOFUNDME into our bank account. A notable difference in our campaign is that we are able to provide a Tax Deductible Reciept. For GOFUNDME, if you wish to receive a charitable tax credit (Canada only) for your donation you MUST utilize the "contact"tab below, send your name, donation amount and complete mailing address to the organizer. I will validate the amount and a receipt will be issued in late February 2016.
Cash donations may be dropped off at Trinity United Church or mailed to 90 Spring Street, Summerside, PE C1N 3E4. You MUST specify the donation is for the Syrian Refugee Fund.
Our two host families will be on a strict budget so they learn to live within their means (the same way all of us must. Our goal is to reduce any barriers our families will have to their successful integration into the Summerside community.
All funds raised will be used to sponsor families. Any extra funds will be directed to the same cause, reducing any barriors for Summerside newcomer familes from Syria.
Our Team:
Corporate and Individual Fundraising Coordinator - Marg Chisholm-Ramsay
Chairperson - Rev. Dr. Andrew Richardson
Secretary - Duncan McKillop
Other Helpers to the cause include: Susan Eddy, Marie Salamoun-Dunne, Emily Schurman, Ralph Yeo, Sharon Moyse, Vance Bridges, Arthur Davies, Tilmon Pineau, Heather Johnston, John McCarthy, Graeme McKillop, representatives from Summerside Presbyterian Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, St. Paul's Catholic Church and many other community-minded individuals.
Additional info:
This sponsorship is through the Blended Visa-Office Referred Program, which matches refugees identified for resettlement by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with private sponsors in Canada. For more information about this program, you can visit the following link http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/sponsor/vor.asp
(video completly donated/no expenses covered)
Video Credit: Red Wave Studios, PEI
Summerside aerial photos courtesy of Higher Design
We need to fundraise approximately $30,000 for expenses in addition to providing material and emotional support for these two families. Our group organizes housing, furniture, clothing, food, and everything they need day-to-day. Update: when we set our goal we were uncertain of the amount we would need. We have since found out we will need at least $2300 mo. for basic necessities for both families x 6 months each for $27,600 at a minimum. In addition we need to completely set up two homes and have funds for any unexpected expenses.
We will welcome two families. Here is what we know so far: Family #1 - Two parents - - four children (age 14, 9, 5, and 3) & Family #2 - Two parents - - child (age 5). Both families are living in refuge in Lebanon.
update November 27, 2015
Family #1 - A representative of our group had two discussions with the father by cell phone. The 3 year old was born as a refugee so they have been there for some time. They are excited to start a new life but also very afraid. They are a working class family, they speak Arabic. We expect to have information soon about clothing sizes soon.
Family #2 - we haven't spoken to them and expect the other family will arrive first. They are both university educated, the father has a PhD and mother is university educated. They speak English, French and Arabic.
These two families have followed all the rules and applied and been accepted through the UN application process. We can't help everyone affected by the crisis, but together we can make a difference for these two families!
In response to questions regarding fundraising:
There are no administation costs for corporate, cash or check donations to the office. No administration costs will be charged by any individual, church or group participating with us. The truck picking up furniture has been donated and everyone on the campaign is a VOLUNTEER. Many of us on the campaign are spending vacation time, days off, weekends and expenses to volunteer, as we should. Some that were retired are working for free almost full-time on the campaign. We have community leaders approaching businesses to contribute, again at no cost. We do not provide recognition for corporate donations. On-line donations have a small charge since we must allow credit cards for those who contributed from several US States, China and four provinces along with numerous communities on PEI. GoFundMe donations are deposited directly from GOFUNDME into our bank account. A notable difference in our campaign is that we are able to provide a Tax Deductible Reciept. For GOFUNDME, if you wish to receive a charitable tax credit (Canada only) for your donation you MUST utilize the "contact"tab below, send your name, donation amount and complete mailing address to the organizer. I will validate the amount and a receipt will be issued in late February 2016.
Cash donations may be dropped off at Trinity United Church or mailed to 90 Spring Street, Summerside, PE C1N 3E4. You MUST specify the donation is for the Syrian Refugee Fund.
Our two host families will be on a strict budget so they learn to live within their means (the same way all of us must. Our goal is to reduce any barriers our families will have to their successful integration into the Summerside community.
All funds raised will be used to sponsor families. Any extra funds will be directed to the same cause, reducing any barriors for Summerside newcomer familes from Syria.
Our Team:
Corporate and Individual Fundraising Coordinator - Marg Chisholm-Ramsay
Chairperson - Rev. Dr. Andrew Richardson
Secretary - Duncan McKillop
Other Helpers to the cause include: Susan Eddy, Marie Salamoun-Dunne, Emily Schurman, Ralph Yeo, Sharon Moyse, Vance Bridges, Arthur Davies, Tilmon Pineau, Heather Johnston, John McCarthy, Graeme McKillop, representatives from Summerside Presbyterian Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, St. Paul's Catholic Church and many other community-minded individuals.
Additional info:
This sponsorship is through the Blended Visa-Office Referred Program, which matches refugees identified for resettlement by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with private sponsors in Canada. For more information about this program, you can visit the following link http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/sponsor/vor.asp
(video completly donated/no expenses covered)
Video Credit: Red Wave Studios, PEI
Summerside aerial photos courtesy of Higher Design
Organizer
Marg Chisholm-Ramsay
Organizer
Summerside, PE
