Announcement: Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal (Calgary)

Dear Calgary folks,

I am sure you are all aware of the escalating violence in Syria and the terrible humanitarian crisis it is causing. Millions of ordinary people including women, children and families are forced to leave their homes and leave everything they have behind to flee the violence caused by a senseless war perpetrated by egoistical men with pure evil intentions. I will not delve into the politics of this but our main concern should be on the suffering of the people who through no fault of their own have been deprived of basic humanitarianism. While all our politicians have been debating on the refugee issues and we living our lives blissfully thousands of miles away, it took images of a tiny lifeless body of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi lying on a beach to make us stop in our tracks and open our eyes.

As an expat community with members who are fully aware of international affairs, perhaps we at InterNations Calgary could do a little something to help. If we all chipped in with a few dollars, collectively that could become more significant. Additionally, with the recently launched Syria Emergency Relief Fund, the Government of Canada will match every dollar we donate to registered Canadian charities. For more details, see link below to their website:
Protected content

Hence, for the next three events, from our upcoming October to December events, we will be raising some funds through a Protected content draw. The draw will be made at the end of each event. All proceeds from this raffle draw will go towards the Red Cross Refugee Crisis Appeal. We will also have a cash collection table for those who wish to make a cash or cheque donation to the Red Cross. Please note that the Red Cross can only issue tax receipts for donations of $20 or more. Look out for more details on our event postings online.

So please do make every effort to come out for our next few events and don’t forget to bring some cash! Together, let’s do our part.

“And now abide by these faith, hope and charity; but the greatest of these is charity”

Yours Sincerely,
Nicholas Pereira & Nikolas Patentalakis