City prepares donation boxes to help bring refugees here

The City of Sault Ste. Marie is preparing to distribute cash donation boxes to local banks and credit unions as part of its fund-raising drive to help bring refugee families here.

A one-day collection blitz, possibly at local outlets of a national coffee-and-doughnut chain, is also in the planning stages.

About 20 people attended a meeting about the campaign at the Civic Centre last night.

City Council agreed last week to co-ordinate a community-wide campaign to help refugees fleeing from places including Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Burma and Uganda.

Last night's meeting was chaired by Ward 1 Councillor Steve Butland, who indicated that two of the five banks he approached immediately agreed to accept donation boxes.

Service clubs, retailers and hoteliers are also being approached.

Many at last night's meeting were representatives of local churches or concerned citizens.

Three churches advised that they have committed to sponsoring a refugee family.

A fourth congregation is expected to co-ordinate its efforts with other churches.

Butland was unwilling to specify how many refugee families will be supported.

That will depend on the amount raised, but Butland predicted the local campaign might support one, two or even three families.

The city's social services department has been designated as the lead agency for the co-ordinated Sault Ste. Marie response and will open a designated bank account.

The city won't directly sponsor families, but faith groups and other sponsors will be able to apply for the funds raised.

The cost of sponsoring a refugee family of four for one year is estimated at between $27,000 and $32,000.

Danny Krmpotich, co-ordinator of the Sault's Local Immigration Partnership, has been assisting Butland in organizing the campaign.

Ward 2 Councillor Susan Myers told the meeting that Sault Ste. Marie is solidly behind bringing refugees to the city.

"There's 75,000 people out there and they all want to do something," Myers said. 

(PHOTO: Refugee children from Syria at a clinic in Ramtha, northern Jordan, UK Department for International Development.)