BY KELLY ROCHE
A donation drive supporting Syrian refugees is taking place at Port Credit Secondary School this week following a hugely successful run in early 2016.
“We did it last time and we filled a five-tonne truck,” said PCSS principal Abedeen Remtulla.
A handful of Syrian students are enrolled at the high school and “our understanding from our settlement worker is that there’s a lot more that are on their way very soon,” said Remtulla.
As of May 15, roughly 27,190 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada between November 4, 2015 and February 29, 2016, according to the federal government.
The Great Canadian PCSS Welcome Part 2 begins Tuesday.
Clothing, hygiene products, canned food items, toys, books, small kitchen appliances (in good working order), and rugs are being collected.
Items will be dropped off at the Sav Syria warehouse in the Tomken Rd. and Eglinton Ave. area; the non-governmental organization helps settle new Canadians.
With the Victoria Day long weekend leading into this drive, “I’m not sure what we’re going to get,” Remtulla said, noting the first drive was “amazing.”
PCSS parent Irene Owchar donated items last January and describes the drive as a great opportunity to teach her sons about empathy.
“We’re really blessed to be living where we are because the kids here, they have so much, and other kids in the world just don’t,” said Owchar.
“They need to understand how lucky they are and learn at a young age to give back.”
Students and parents are volunteering to collect donations in the high school’s east parking lot.
DROP-OFF DATES AND TIMES
Tuesday, May 24 to Friday, May 27*
Early: 8:15 a.m. to 8:40 a.m.
Late: 2:35 p.m. to 3 p.m.
*Only morning donations will be accepted Friday.
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