If you travel on the Canada Line through Marine Drive station, you may have noticed a large banner that says #refugeeswelcome.
The 30′ by 6′ poster hangs on the outside of Lush Canada’s North American headquarters, and is part of the cosmetics brand’s efforts to raise money and awareness for Syrian refugees who are settling here.
All proceeds from the limited-edition floral-scented Hand of Friendship soap ($5.95) will go to Lush’s Friendship Fund. The money from this will be distributed to groups throughout North America that are helping Syrian refugees to settle here. Lush aims to raise $450,000 by February 28 2016, the government’s deadline for bringing 25,000 refugees here.
The brand has also created a video to explain the crisis and is dedicating its storefronts to welcoming refugees, with messages in Arabic. You can show your support for Lush’s campaign by using the hashtag #RefugeesWelcome on social media or signing welcome postcards at the brand’s stores. If you’d like to sign Amnesty International’s Petition, which asks the Minister for Immigration to support a generous refugee resettlement programme, click here.
Hand of Friendship soap, $5.95. Image: Lush