The Battle River Community Foundation has granted over $59,000 from donations for the Camrose Refugee Centre in support of the Ukrainian refugees who continue to arrive in the Camrose area. The Foundation began accepting donations for the Camrose Refugee Centre this past Spring and has issued grant cheques to the Centre regularly to ensure funds are able to be used as soon as possible. Battle River Community Foundation Executive Director, Dana Andreassen presents the most recent grant cheque to Yvonne Myrehaug, Volunteer Coordinator for the Camrose Refugee Centre.
Myrehaug explained that thirty-three individuals including fifteen families have been housed in the Camrose area by a combination of local host families and rental accommodations. Monetary donations as well as contributions of furniture and other household goods have been collected to ensure the arrival and transition is as comfortable as possible.
“The Refugee Support Committee also works with refugees to assist in several ways including English language support, dealing with paperwork, celebrating events and having meals together, and funding of sports and arts programs for youth, all helping people find their way in our community.”
Andreassen noted “The response in supporting Ukrainian refugees is a reflection of the generous and supportive community in which we live.”
The Battle River Community Foundation exists to support organizations in East Central Alberta, which benefit the local communities and have a positive impact on the future. Since it was founded in 1995, the Battle River Community Foundation has granted over $8,216,000 to support charitable activities in the Battle River Region