5K to support refugees

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This article was published 26/05/2017 (3087 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A local church is digging deep and lacing up to raise funds to sponsor a refugee family’s immigration to Canada.

“We’re not a wealthy church,” said Abraham El-Giadaa, chair of the refugee committee at St. Alphonsus Parish (315 Munroe Ave.). The committee is holding a five-kilometre run around Kildonan Park (2015 Main St.) on Sat., June 3 to help raise funds.

“But the goal is for the community to raise money to bring this family here,” he added.

To date, El-Giadaa said that St. Alphonsus Parish has raised $6,000 towards their goal of $20,000 to sponsor a refugee family of four. The goal of their Run for Refugees is to raise another $2,000 or more.

“Whether you’re Catholic or not, or you go to church or not, that’s not the point,” El-Giadaa said. “We’re hoping to engage in the greater community of Elmwood, East and North Kildonan.”

El-Giadaa got involved with the committee at St. Alphonsus when the church decided to sponsor a refugee family’s move to Canada.

“I didn’t know anything about bringing refugees here, or refugees in general, before,” he said, adding that while his parents are both immigrants, he “never really asked them about that stuff.”

In working with the committee and the Canadian government, which matches funds raised by organizations through the Blended Visa Office Referred program, El-Giardaa said he’s learned a lot about both the process and the importance of community to providing a successful environment for newcomers to thrive.

“I think one of the biggest reasons Canada is successful at bringing in refugees is that almost all refugees who come to Canada are sponsored by a group,” he said. “Once we raise the money, it doesn’t end there. We’ll find them a place to live, teach them how to use the bus, help them find a job, build their resume. We pick them up at the airport. That’s where you begin to feel like a Canadian and welcomed here.”

Once the Run for Refugees is wrapped, El-Giadaa said the committee will look to develop other events to raise the needed funds while involving the community as much as possible.

“There’s only so much you can ask, there’s donation fatigue,” El-Giadaa admitted. “People are pulled in all different directions to give to good causes.”

Taking part in St. Alphonsus Parish’s Run for Refugees cost $20 for adults, $15 for youths, or $50 for families, with proceeds going to sponsoring a family of four. The run begins at 9 a.m., with registration starting at 8 a.m.

To register, donate to the cause, or for more information, contact runforrefugeessta@gmail.com 204-667-9580 ext. 3 to register.

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