I am thrilled that we, as citizens living and working in King, are doing our small bit to respond to the humanitarian crisis  of thousands of families living in refugee camps after having escaped Syria.  As I mentioned earlier, King for Refugees has been formed to sponsor and support some refugee families; in addition to the challenge of fund raising to finance this, there is the critical job of supporting the family members as they learn about life in Canada and begin their integration. And we are now learning exactly what it means “to support” as the first family has arrived. If you would like to help there are many ways:  offer your time, make a donation, organize a fund raising event.  For more information  go to www.kingforrefugees.org; from there you can send a message and/or you can make a donation for which you will receive a tax receipt.

Our first family is now living in the house we furnished in preparation with donated goods.  Children have registered in schools.  Our volunteers are running ESL classes to supplement programs in schools.  With our volunteers they have had exposure to hockey and I gather that there is likely at least one future player.

From conversations with those who have been working directly with the family I know that they are experiencing that unique satisfaction which comes from helping others.  These volunteers are really doing a wonderful thing.  Although our roster of volunteers is now >110 individuals there is much work to done over the next year and new volunteers will be very welcomed.  (Note:  I say “over the next year” as our commitment to this family is technically for maximum one year.) And…King for Refugees wants to sponsor and support more than one family and intends to do so.