Help give the gift of hope

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/01/2016 (3771 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This Valentine’s Day, why not send a family in need of a bit of love.

Organizers of an upcoming charity event to sponsor a Syrian refugee family are inviting the community to spend Valentine’s Day with them at the Love, A Gift of Hope event at Soul Sanctuary (2050 Chevrier Blvd.).

The gala evening on Feb. 14 will raise funds to bring a Syrian family of four currently living in a refugee camp in Jordan to Winnipeg. The event is organized by Soul Sanctuary community church.

Beatrice Giesbrecht, chair of the church’s Syrian Refugee Project, said the congregation began the initiative this past October and they hope to raise $27,000 to support the family for one year. The husband and wife and their two teenage daughters, 13 and 15, had been living in Damascus until 2012 where they were under the constant threat of bombs and to their family’s well-being. They eventually fled to Jordan.

“It’s kind of been on my heart for a while, seeing the need that was there and seeing it in the news all the time,” Giesbrecht said of the refugee crisis. “We really believe in what we’re doing and we believe in sponsoring this family, we can’t do it alone. We need the community.”

Kim Wilson, a volunteer with the initiative, said the paperwork has been filed and the family could arrive with less than two weeks’ notice, making the upcoming fundraiser an opportune time to help.

“Winnipeg’s going to be welcoming 2,000 families and this is touching all of us,” Wilson said. “So if people aren’t already connected with one of the Syrian causes in the community we’d love for them to consider us.”

Giesbrecht said the family is thrilled to know they’ll soon be able to call Winnipeg home.

“They are so excited and so grateful for the chance to come to Canada,” Giesbrecht said.

“That’s the part that always makes me tear up — it’s such a beautiful thing to be able to do,” Wilson added.

Wilson said she hopes Soul Sanctuary’s efforts can mirror that of Churchill Park United Church and the South Osborne Syrian Refugee Initiative across town. The community there rallied to raise over $70,000 in about 30 days. Soul Sanctuary is in the process of partnering with other organizations and the church’s north campus is involved with fundraising.

“We would love to be the nucleus for that happening in the community around our church,” she said.

Entertainment for the evening will be supplied by the “B” Side Champs and there will also be an art auction with pieces donated by local artists. The dinner will be provided by Penny’s Catering and wine will also be served.

“It’s a nice night to go out and spend some time and go with your sweet someone, or your friends, and just have a good time, learn a little bit more about what we’re doing, what you’re supporting and contribute to the community,” Giesbrecht said.

Tickets for the Feb. 14 dinner and dance are $75 with a portion eligible for a tax receipt. Tickets and more information about the project is available at soulsanctuary.ca