Concerned citizens from Qualicum Beach and Parksville visited St. Mark’s Church hall between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Feb. 18 to support Syrian children who have been orphaned and left destitute by recent earthquakes.
The event was organized by Syrian Parksville residents Samar Al Hbayo, her husband Bader Al Faraj, her brother Hesham Alhbiyou and his wife Nour Alebaid, and the Ali Al Faraj Refugee Sponsorship group, according to a news release.
By the end of the day, $5,000 had been donated by concerned Canadians.
On Wednesday evening, Feb. 15, Samar received the news that 60 children living in camps near the Turkish border had been orphaned by the earthquake. Some of Samar and Hesham’s family live in the camps, so they were able to advise them on current conditions.
“Shocked and concerned, she sprang into action and informed her own contacts and the refugee committee,” the release read.
Terry Roberts, a member of the Ali Al Faraj Refugee Sponsorship group, secured St. Mark’s and rallied their congregation. Samar and Hesham and their families cooked mountains of Syrian treats such as baklava, date filled cookies and savoury dishes. Volunteers spread the word at the farmer’s market Saturday morning.
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Samar and her family are grateful to all who responded so immediately to help the children.
“Right now, it is very difficult to get humanitarian aid to Syria, but the refugee committee has a long-established lifeline to get funds to the people who need them,” the release read.
If you wish to help, cash donations brought to St. Mark’s Church office between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are still welcome.
Donations had surpassed $7,200 as of Feb. 24, the release said.
For more information, contact Terry or Jennifer Roberts at 250-240-4330 or 250-937-8336.
— NEWS Staff, submitted