Residents of the town of Black Diamond, about 35 kilometers southwest of Calgary, want newcomers to rural communities to feel welcome and perhaps stay in the area.
So on Wednesday night, they gathered at the Bluerock Gallery to wrap 125 gifts for new Canadians and refugees.
Tarek Nemr came to Canada as a refugee from Syria five years ago. Today he is co-owner, director and curator of the gallery.
Nemr says the project was partially inspired by his own experience of hosting in the Black Diamond community, where he decided to build his life and business.
“When I got that first cup or the first bike, someone donated a bike…or someone even gave me a bottle of water or a lip balm. And it was all really touching that someone thought of me on this level,” he said.
The project was funded by a donation from an anonymous philanthropist, as well as contributions from others in the community and the gallery itself.
Nemr says the gallery tries to do a project each holiday season that spreads empathy and joy.
“And this year, that’s what we came up with. It’s not just important for a refugee to be good at the essentials. It’s also important to give the non-essentials, the things that are enjoyable,” did he declare.
“Plus, at the same time, these giveaways provide support for our local artists. Everything here is handmade by local artists, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone.”
Approximately 125 gifts will be given to families celebrating their first Canadian Christmas in rural communities near Calgary.
Lisa Degenstein, rural program manager for the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, says it’s people like Nemr that rural towns need.
“Rural communities, they don’t grow, they shrink,” she said.
“Rural communities really recognize that welcoming and supporting newcomers into their community, in hopes of retaining them, will really add to the community.”
Degenstein says newcomers tend to feel more connected to a community if they feel welcome.
“And I think it’s an initiative that really speaks to that,” she said.
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