FLOOD WATCH: High tides and strong winds spell trouble, 3 EMPTY BOWLS: SDSS fundraiser set to benefit Deltassist, 5 HOOP IT UP
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www.delta-optimist.com
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016
The voice of Delta since 1922
Green end to the holiday season PHOTOS BY GORD GOBLE
The Lions clubs of Tsawwassen-Boundary Bay and Ladner provided local residents with a chance to recycle their Christmas trees through chipping events in both communities last weekend. See more photos at www.deltaoptimist.com. SCAN WITH TO REVEAL PHOTOS
Syrian refugees arrive in Ladner Delta Safe Haven welcomes two families with a total of 13 members to their new country JESSICA KERR
j ke r r @ d e l t a - o p t i m i s t .c o m
After weeks spent preparing for them, two Syrian refugee families arrived in Ladner over the weekend. Delta Safe Haven, the group formed late last year to bring refugees to the area, announced Sunday night that two families, consisting of five adults and eight children ranging in age from 3 to 15, have arrived.
The group received word last Thursday that two families had been selected to settle in Ladner. Delta Safe Haven members met the families on Friday and they arrived in Ladner the next day. Volunteers were quickly mobilized to organize food, help unpack furniture provided by the government and look after the children as the adults met with Delta Safe Haven members. Rev. Jim Short, who spearheaded the initiative, said the
new Canadian Jordan on Christmas Day. residents had many Short said there were questions around many moments that stood schooling, learning out for the group that has English and much been working to make this else. possible, including Delta The journey to police officers hugging the their new home in fathers to welcome them South Delta has to Canada and shaking Rev. Jim Short been long and arduhands with their children, ous. The families fled the war the smiles on refugees’ faces as in Syria three years ago, staying they saw their new homes and in a Jordanian refugee camp. children of steering committee They arrived in Vancouver from members arriving with a soccer
ball. “Within two minutes children speaking different languages had formed a circle and without speaking were passing the ball to each other,” Short said. He said the families are already exploring their new community. Delta Safe Haven has been in contact with the school district about enrolling the children as well as English classes for the adults. RESILIENT: see Page 3
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