The Editor,
It is breaking my heart and making me angry to watch the news and hear the hatred associated with the ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump against certain refugees.
Many of you have attended or donated to the two main fundraisers our little community group, the Tri-Cities Refugee Welcome Wagon, hosted over the past year and I thank you for this.
It should make Canadians proud to see many people from all political backgrounds who have come together to raise funds for the benefit of refugees in the Tri-Cities. The Tri-Cities Refugee Welcome Wagon has hosted two main fundraisers in 2016 netting $4,500, and these funds directly benefited our Tri-Cities government-assisted refugees, including four widowed single mothers, many children and two with urgent medical issues.
Some essential items purchased so far have been car seats, bus passes, school supplies as well as strollers, and the group has paid for moving expenses, and appliance and bicycle repairs. We have collaborated with other groups and volunteers in the community, and assisted with transportation arrangements via HandyDART for dialysis treatment and trips to Vancouver Children’s Hospital. As well, there was a $500 donation to the Coquitlam Foundation to be used to assist the Syrians who had were evacuated in July from the massive fire that engulfed a Coquitlam apartment building.
These contributions have made a significant impact in the community by helping raise the new refugees out of extreme poverty with essential items and have provided compassionate aid that helps establish reciprocal bonds between the refugees and their community.
It has been a privilege to have gotten to know these beautiful, kind people. They continue to invite us into their homes and despite the language barrier, we have formed long term friendships. They are a warm and hospitable people who have little to give but are willing to share all that they have. We care about them and knowing them has been a truly humbling experience.
To quote Dr. Martin Luther King: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
Nancy McCurrach, Tri-Cities Refugee Welcome Wagon, Port Coquitlam
