How Springwater Residents Can Help Syrian Refugees

There are Syrian refugee families coming to Barrie, Midland, Orillia and Penetanguishene whose sponsors could use extra financial support, and thousands of others still in refugee camps who dearly need our help. If donations are made through a church, they are eligible for a tax receipt from the church.

The following are just a few examples of what’s happening locally:

Here in Elmvale, the Elmvale Community Church raised $2724.01 for the Syrian Refugee resettlement project through a roof project they did at the minister’s house in the month of October. Instead of paying someone to shingle the house, they put a crew together to do it themselves and then donated what they saved to the project. They had raised an additional $500 earlier in the year as well through a similar project. They sent their support through the Mennonite Central Committee, who are actively bringing Syrian families into Ontario (one such family will be landing in Penetanguishene soon). They will also be supplying this family with clothing through ShareWear.

Also in Elmvale, anyone interested in supporting those still in refugee camps overseas can make a donation through a number of local churches. Cheques should be made out to the church, but clearly marked “Syrian Refugee Support”. Again, donations made through a church are eligible for a tax receipt from the church. Monies will be matched dollar for dollar by the Canadian government until Dec. 31, 2015; they will support the needs (food, shelter, health care and hope) of families in the refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon through the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and ACT Alliance. (ACT Alliance is a coalition of 137 churches and faith-based organisations working together in over 100 countries to create positive and sustainable change in the lives of poor and marginalised people regardless of their religion, politics, gender, sexual orientation, race or nationality in keeping with the highest international codes and standards.)

In Penetanguishene, the Covenant Christian Community Church is sponsoring a family of Syrian refugees. Contact Brad Fisher at bradf@baytechplastics.com to help them raise the necessary $19,000.

Also in Penetanguishene, Mayor Gerry Marshal has established The Mayor’s Syrian Resettlement Fund, which will contribute to the overall Project Hope Campaign that is being spearheaded by Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto. The Cardinal has called upon people of goodwill to unite behind his effort. Direct deposits can be made to the Mayor’s Syrian Resettlement bank account at the Scotiabank on Main Street in Penetanguishene; the bank account Number is 407820033111. Donations can be also be dropped off at the Penetanguishene townhall. Either cash or cheque is fine, please make cheques payable to the Mayor’s Syrian Resettlement Fund)

In Barrie, as many as 12 families are being sponsored by a number of different churches, and Mayor Jeff Lehman is crowdsourcing for a family as well. Barrie’s Grace United is sponsoring a Syrian family. The United Churches in Dalston and Midhurst are accepting donations for this project. Cheques can be made out to the specific churches and earmarked for the Syrian refugee campaign; the churches will issue tax receipts.

In Orillia, a coalition known as Mariposa For Refugees (www.m4refugees.ca) is sponsoring a family. Donations can be sent to St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter St., Orillia, L3V4Z1. Cheques are to be made to St. Paul's, with m4r or Project Syria mentioned in the memo line. On-line donations are accepted at www.CanadaHelps.org. When you search St. Paul's be sure to enter 'Orillia'. Drop down the menu by the "general" donation line, and you will get a M4R designated account. They will be having another fundraiser on February 2nd, 2016 in the form of a meal at Brewery Bay, with a silent auction. Should anyone in Springwater have an article to donate to the Silent Auction,that would be appreciated as well.

In Midland, a grassroots group known as Georgian Bay Refugee Support, have already raised enough to bring one family of four to their town and are now committed to sponsoring a second family. Tax receiptable donations can be made on-line at ttp://gbrefugeesupport.wix.com/support.

Alternatively, donations can be made on-line by going to the websites of Lifeline Syria, The Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and UNHCR (United Nations High Commission on Refugees).