Antigonish volunteers, St. FX students raise $173K for Syrian refugees
Carolyn Ray | CBC News | Posted: April 11, 2016 10:00 AM | Last Updated: April 12, 2016
'When we can raise enough money, we'll bring a new family,' says group co-founder Lucille Harper
Volunteers in Antigonish say they raised an incredible amount of money to help Syrian refugees through the old theory that every dollar counts.
The group set up to help Syrians hoped to raise $30,000 in one year, a thought now laughable to Lucille Harper, the founder of Syria Antigonish Families Embrace (SAFE).
"It feels busy, it feels like a lot. But it feels great," she said.
From jars to collect change in stores to hosting town halls, the group has fundraised nearly three times its initial goal — and brought two families into the town.
"You're feeling a responsibility for supporting people that have come from those very real situations," Harper said. "What I'm seeing is the interest of the community growing."
$173K and counting
Interest grew so much, SAFE inspired several other volunteer groups, including one on St. Francis Xavier University's campus.
In all, the organizations in Antigonish have now raised $173,500 — and counting.
"They are victims of the war and they have been forced out of their homes," said Benjamin McGrath, the president of St. FX for SAFE.
"In that circumstance, you're not living a fulfilling life, and for them to be able to come here and have that opportunity, I think that's something wonderful that we can provide."
Refugees not a 'stereotype'
McGrath said once students met the first refugee family in town, they realized they could — and should — do more.
"We sort of get a picture of the Syrian refugees as sort of helpless and stranded," McGrath said.
"However, it really broke the stereotype to meet this family. Because they are passionate and they are driven... there is nothing that's going to hold them back from succeeding."
St. FX for SAFE asked students to forgo one expensive coffee and instead donate a few dollars to the cause. The group also hosted bake sales and pizza sales.
'It adds up'
Student should give despite being students with few means, fourth-year student Kristian Rasenberg said.
"If we make conscious decisions to make sacrifices in our lives, then we're able to contribute in a small ways," Rasenberg said. "Collectively it adds up. That's the power of students."
The students also asked for donations from local businesses, many of which they said were eager to show their support.
'We have a duty'
McGrath said he's heard criticism that they should help Canadians, but he has a response for that.
"They just assume that all attention has been left from these struggling people here in Canada, and that's just simply not true," McGrath said.
"This is a humanitarian crisis. It's a global crisis. It's something that, as Canadians, we have a duty."
The group has no plans to stop fundraising now that they've brought two families to Antigonish, Harper said.
"When we can raise enough money, we'll bring a new family," she said. "We'll just keep the process going."