Local charity shows refugee children true spirit of the holidays

For the refugee children at New Hope, a Greater Vancouver-based refugee housing and resettlement organization, this holiday season is especially significant.

“For many of our refugee families, this is the first holiday season they have ever experienced,” said Jamey McDonald, Executive Director for New Hope Community Services Society, in a release. “It’s exciting to see their faces light up as we decorate the tree and share in the sights and sounds of the holidays.”

New Hope is currently assisting 24 families in their newly renovated apartment building in Surrey. The organization helps refugee claimants and newly landed immigrants smoothly adjust to life in Canada.

To make sure the kids have a great Christmas, every donation to New Hope is being matched by a group of corporate and individual donors. The charity is hoping to raise $40,000 by December 31 so they can continue to provide housing and support for refugee families.

“Christmas is a time for giving, and for sharing what we have with those who are less fortunate,” said McDonald. “With this opportunity to double your gift, every act of kindness can go twice as far.”

Anyone wishing to donate can give online at www.hopeforchristmas.ca between now and December 31.