Antigonish volunteers, St. FX students raise $173K for Syrian refugees

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, athought 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 goaland brought two families into the town.

"You're feeling a responsibilityfor 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'scampus.

In all, the organizations inAntigonishhave now raised $173,500 and counting.

"They are victims of the warand they have been forced out of their homes," said Benjamin McGrath, the president of St. FXfor 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 saidonce students met the first refugee familyin 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 passionateand they are driven... there is nothing that's going to hold them back from succeeding."

St.FXfor SAFE asked students to forgo one expensive coffee and insteaddonate a few dollars to the cause. The group also hosted bake sales andpizza sales.

'It adds up'

Student should give despite being students with few means, fourth-year studentKristianRasenbergsaid.

"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 saidhe's heard criticism that they should helpCanadians, 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 hasno 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."