Inside
◆ Community Forum - pg 6 ◆ OARH Co-ordinator pg 7
◆ Council Notes - pg 2 ◆ Town Hall - pg 3
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WEDNESDAY, March 9, 2016
NEWS BRIEFS
VOL. 38 NO. 02 $1.30 inc. GST
Syrian Refugee Group: all set for first fundraiser BARBARA LATKOWSKI Caledonia Courier
Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday, March 13, 2016, 2:00:00 AM clocks are turned forward 1 hour
Canada’s first wellness rewards program launches in B.C. VICTORIA - British Columbia residents who are making an effort to lead healthier lifestyles can now be rewarded with loyalty points such as Aeroplan, PetroPoints, Scene and MoreRewards, thanks to an innovative new mobile app called Carrot Rewards. The app, available first to B.C. residents, was launched today by Kamal Khera, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Terry Lake, Minister of Health for British Columbia, and Andreas Souvaliotis, founder and CEO of Social Change Rewards, at an event at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria, British Columbia. See more on page 3
Fort St. James is ready to do their part and welcome two Syrian families to their home town. And the Syrian Refugee Group of Fort St. James is ready as fundraising is underway. Only after four meetings, the group has already committed to sponsoring two Syrian families and budgeting is now in the works. Over 8 million Syrians have been displaced and 4 million have fled conflict and poverty in hope of finding a better future and a new opportunity elsewhere. About 25,000 refugees are set to arrive in Canada in 2016. “It’s all about making them feel safe,” said group member, Louise Evan-Salt. Evan-Salt has played an integral part in finding out more about the process of sponsorship through the Mennonite Central Committee who are based in Abbotsford B.C. This international organization has been approved for this purpose and it is keen to help various groups like the one in Fort St. James get through the sponsorship process. And with the situation being as desperate as it is, Fort St. James could see a Syrian family in the community within 1-4 months. But first, it’s all about money. The blended sponsorship program seems the most favored option as government assistance will be made available throughout the one year commitment. About $27,500 needs to be secured and ready before the process can even begin. Priorities such as a budget (for clothing, food, etc.) and housing must be presented as
ALL REMAINING NEW 2015 MODEL YEAR MUST GO!!
Members of the Syrian Refugee Group are busily planning for the arrival of a Syrian Family into the Fort St. James community. Photos by Barbara Latkowski
Students at David Hoy Elementary school are doing their part by creating decorations for the first fundraising event set for March 19. well before applying for sponsorship. The group is committed and is now asking for donations and support from the community. The first Syrian refugee fundraising event will take place on March 19th. A Toonie Gift Basket Fundraiser is inviting anyone, including all local companies and organizations to donate a basket of gifts. The draw for the gift baskets will
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take place at a pot luck ethnic dinner at the Fort St. James High School gym. Baskets are to be ready for collection on March 11. The ethnic dinner invites all to bring an ethnic dish to the school gym for a family night of food, fun and even some belly dancing, drumming, a performance by a Syrian Family from Prince George and face painting thrown in to complete the evening.
For more information, contact: Nancy at (250) 996-3671 nancyc2@telus. net Joyce at (250) 839-3134 joycejylam@hotmail.com The next Syrian Refugee Group meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday March 16 at the Fort St. James Public Library. All are welcome. The Caledonia Courier is proud to welcome the Syrian families to Fort St. James.
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