The Salt Spring Refugee Sponsorship Group

With just a few days left to this campaign, we're thrilled to see our target exceeded!  Help us share this far and wide as we count down the clock on this fundraiser!  All proceeds go to the SS Refugee Sponsorship Group's initiative to bring six Syrian refugees, including three children, to our island community!

The applications are in their final stages now and we should have word soon as to when we can meet our new friends and neighbours! If we exceed our overall fundraising objectives, we are considering the possibilities of opening a third application for another family.

If you'd like to keep up-to-date with what's happening with our applications and to learn more about the refugee application process, check for info and updates on our Facebook Page: Salt Spring Refugee Sponsorship Group or email us at ssrsg2016info@gmail.com

Like many across Canada, we feel we cannot stand-by in face of the increasing crisis in the Middle East and Europ. Our group, a coalition of individuals and organizations, is completing two applications for 6 individuals, including 3 children, to come to Salt Spring.  As you might already know, the Canadian government requires a substantial amount of "in hand" funds before private sponsorship applications are even reviewed.  We are happy to announce we have crossed that inital threshold and our applications are ready to submit within just a few days!  If we receive sufficient funds to settle our applicants here for one year, we will consider the possibilities of tackling a fresh application.  

According to agencies that help to connect refugee families with sponsoring communities and groups, sponsorship and support of a family is a one-year commitment that requires approximately $40,000. With two applications underway, our minimum goal is $80,000.  We are closing in on that target and this on-line campaign is critical for us to reach that minimum. 

We have no doubt that there are numerous friends of Salt Spring Island  who will want to help refugees seek sanctuary in our community. No matter the size or nature of your contribution—whether money, time or skills—please know that every contribution is most welcome. Together, we can do our bit to alleviate at least some of the terrible suffering we have witnessed. Together, we can make a difference.

We also would like to thank the Salt Spring Island Chamber of Commerce for helping us with this on-line campaign - the support of this wonderful community has been humbling.  

Our refugees, our future friends and neighbours, have been on the move for months now and will be arriving as new island residents with just, literally, the clothes on their backs. Your generosity will be the foundation upon which all their family stories now rest, to be passed from this generation to their children and their children's children.  The story of how a small island community reached out half way across the world and embraced their family in loving support.

We thank you in advance for your contribution.

 
Respectfully yours,
The Salt Spring Refugee Sponsorship Group
Anne Marshall - chair, Mary Toynbee, Gary Utter - treasurers, Susan Wetmore - applications and resettlement, Maggie Ziegler - pledges, Kathy Ramsey, Chris Humphreys, Peter Levitt - fundraising and communications, Jo Logan - member at large