Toronto school challenges others to sponsor Syrian refugees

Dubbed the '1000 Schools Challenge,' a group of parent volunteers at Dewson Street
Junior Public School in Toronto is calling on other schools to raise money to help
bring Syrian refugee families to Canada.

A Toronto school's effort to privately sponsor Syrian refugees is encouraging other schools across Canada to follow in its lead.

Dubbed the "1000 Schools Challenge," a group of parent volunteers at Dewson Street Junior Public School in Toronto is calling on other schools to raise money to help bring Syrian refugee families to Canada.

The Dewson group began fundraising in September. So far, at least a dozen other schools have taken up their challenge, including the Palmerston Avenue Junior Public School in Toronto.

The downtown school has raised about $40,000 in just a couple of weeks – more than enough money to help a family of four resettle in Canada. Now, they are hoping to raise enough funds to bring a family of six to the country.

"It's obvious when you look at the news and you just feel compelled to do something," Monica Gupta, a member of the Palmerston Welcomes Refugees Committee, told CTV Toronto.  (more...)

Toronto school challenges others to sponsor Syrian refugees

Hope.