Syrian refugee donations overwhelm volunteer agencies
'We had a soccer team say they're going to each raise $20 and come down with soccer balls'
It's a good problem to have — the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers has received so many donations for Syrian refugees, it has run out of room.
"Oh yeah, we were tripping over ourselves," said Erick Ambtman, executive director.
"The hallways were full of bags of clothing, there were toys all over the place, our prayer room was used as an emergency facility to house all of these items."
But, he said, thankfully the agency is partnering with Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society and Islamic Family and Social Services Association, which will help out with sorting, organizing bundles and storage.
On Wednesday, 10 cheerful volunteers emptied those hallways, loading goods onto a truck destined for the Emergency Relief Services.
When they arrived, volunteers created a human chain from truck to warehouse, unloading and piling high a small mountain of toys, household items, clothes, pots and pans, diapers, recreation items and electronics.
"A lady working with us today said they will feel the warmness of the people around them, not the cold of the winter," said Anas Elbery, who offered to help after the Muslim Association of Canada put out a call for volunteers.
"You can easily sit in front of the TV, watch the news, get depressed, get so mad about what's happening in the world, or you can get out and see what you can do, contribute in your community," while offering "hope to people who are desperate."
Ambtman said it's been incredible to her to see the outpouring of support.
"We had a 12-year-old call and ask to donate his Play Station.
"We had a soccer team say they're going to each raise $20 and come down with soccer balls for other eight-year-olds who may not have one," he said.
"There's a lot of students learning English at EMCN and when they started to see the piles build up, they started to bring their own items because they remember how difficult it was to settle in Canada in that first year."
Ambtman said people have been very thoughtful about their donations, asking, "What does it take to set up a house?"
Something else to keep in mind, he said, is that many of the refugees coming to Edmonton are young families with small children.
The donations are already making a huge difference, said Radwan Mohamed, with Islamic Family and Social Services, an organization assisting many of the private refugees.
"When people leave their country and have literally almost nothing to their name, they feel overwhelmed. They feel they left everything behind," Mohamed said.
The donations go a long way towards helping new arrivals to integrate and feel welcomed, he said.
But with 1,500 refugees expected to arrive over the next few months, there is even more need.
Donations can be dropped off at the Mennonite Centre at 11713-82 St. and Emergency Relief Services at 10255-104 St.
The latter accepts furniture but donors should call ahead for larger items.
Volunteers are still needed for sorting.
The Mennonite Centre is also collecting new and gently used toboggans for a program which introduces new arrivals to the joys of winter.