Islanders turn out, raise funds for refugee effort

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, November 29, 2016

A crowd of 130 people filled the social hall at the Presbyterian church last Friday, where they shared a Syrian dinner, learned more about welcoming refugees and raised funds to settle at least one refugee family on Vashon.

The event, where organizers turned some would-be guests away for lack of space, raised around $3,000 for the Vashon Resettlement Committee, which is working to settle refugees on the island soon. Afterward, organizers expressed their appreciation for islanders’ response to the event — and the broader cause.

“We were incredibly moved and grateful for the turnout and know that it reflects the heartfelt and deep concerns that our community has for what is happening in the world and being a place of hospitality and welcome,” said Mary Rose, one of the core members of the committee.

The group is continuing to pursue paths for resettling refugees on Vashon, and Rose said the funds recently raised will assist in that process.

“The more money we have, the more we will be able to act quickly when the opportunity presents itself,” she said.

In the meantime, she said, some islanders intend to volunteer with refugees off-island and continue building relationships, including regarding potential employment options for refugees who may come to Vashon.

“We truly hope it won’t be long,” Rose said. “But we want to do it the right way — that the family will be happy here and not be isolated, and that they will be supported and able to get back and forth (to Seattle or Tacoma) and stay connected with the Syrian community.”

For more information, see vashonresettlement.org.

— Susan Riemer