Pastor Fleming Blishen of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church – photos 250News

Prince George, B.C. – A full house turned out for today’s Syrian refugee fundraiser at The Exploration Place.

Admission was by donation with all proceeds going to help fund the private sponsorship of Syrian refugee families in Prince George.

Organized by the group PG Citizens for Syrian Refugee Support, spokesperson Hira Rashid said it was heartwarming to see such a large turnout.

“This is amazing, I am so impressed by this community, not just for this event but for others we’ve held,” she said. “We’re just so excited people have come out and participated and helped spread awareness.”

Co-organizer Richard Parks said there has been such an outpouring of support, that it’s tough to get a handle on how many groups want to sponsor refugee families.

“Everyday I hear of a new group that’s intending on sponsoring a refugee family so it’s really hard to get a grasp on it,” he said. “We’re building our own list to see if we can identify these groups. I can say there are at least six groups that are trying.”

Hira Rashid, volunteer event coordinator for the group PG Citizens for Syrian Refugee Support, signs a welcome card for coming refugee families

Parks said in order to sponsor a family of six people, $25,000 must be raised. He added that covers the necessities of life – things like rent, clothing, ESL training, and food.

One group preparing to sponsor a family is Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Pastor Fleming Blishen noted it’s something that’s not only brought his congregation together, but the entire community.

“I’d say this is inter-faith, because I know the mosque is sponsoring a family as well,” he said.

“It’s a social justice issue, it’s something everyone, no matter what faith you’re from, or no faith at all. It’s humanity helping humans so it provides a space for all of us to come together and work which has been really exciting.”

Blishen said his church expects to receive their family by the end of February.

In the meantime anyone who missed today’s fundraiser and would like to donate can do so at the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society.

All money will be distributed evenly to sponsoring organizations.

A new City of Prince George report says the first Syrian refugee family will arrive before Christmas.