Just a quick update about fundraising, etc.
First, three of us were able to attend the general refugee planning meeting at the London Cross-Cultural Learner's Centre, which will be providing services to all refugees as well as being wholly responsible for Government Assisted Refugees (GARs -- Immigration loves its acronyms!). About 70$ of the refugees coming to London, Ontario, will be privately sponsored and various groups in the city, including our own, have raised well over $400,000 for this.
In addition, we have a meeting set up on Wednesday with the LGBTQ settlement officer at the CCLC to talk specifically about services available to LGBTQ refugees and, especially, ways of ensuring the safety and comfort of these refugees once they are here.
Now to fund-raising: our fund-raising drive continues, with multiple events in the planning process for the new year. If you are interested in volunteering to help with a karaoke night, a dance, a silent auction and/or have ideas of your own, please email us at lgsrlondon@gmail.com.
As of December 15th, we have raised a total of $24,294.32 with an additional $2,150 pledged but not yet received (a very generous cheque for $2,000 is winging its way across the Atlantic right now). That brings us to a total of $26, 444.32. So we now have only approximately $555 left to raise to meet our initial fund-raising goal.
Watch this space for more updates as get closer to having our first refugee or couple arriving at Pearson International Airport!
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