Knox-Calvin Presbyterian Church here is spearheading an effort to bring a Syrian refugee family to Minto.
A committee made up of members of local churches has begun meeting to plan the sponsorship process.
“Although Knox-Calvin is spearheading this venture, we really want it to involve as many members of the community as possible,” committee member June Macdonald told the Advertiser. “The variety of tasks to be done is broad, and we welcome the help of anyone interested in being a part of this opportunity to reach out, in compassion, and bring this family home to Minto.”
Committee member Terry Fisk said, “Our greatest current need is housing, likely for a family of two parents and up to four children. There will also be some form of fundraising necessary to support this family for one year.”
Macdonald added, “It would be ideal, of course, to have someone in the family with some skills in English, to assist we non-Arabic speakers to facilitate their welcome and settling in. There are some wonderful resources in Wellington County available to us, and the refugees, that I am sure in the long term we will access as needed.”
Fisk said he is confident the “very generous and caring” local community can be counted on for support.
“There is an international crisis in Syria and as caring Canadians it is our moral duty to do what we can to alleviate the suffering,” he stated.
Fisk invites anyone who would like to become involved with the committee or would like to contribute to the cause to contact him at docterfisk@wightman.ca or 519-338-3784.
Macdonald said the sponsored family would be the second to come to Minto, as a Syrian family sponsored by the a local Mennonite church is already living in Harriston.
