My nephew, Darrell Verigin, came to visit me the afternoon of January 14, 2016. The visit was much appreciated and he was very excited about something. He dropped the latest edition of the Castlegar News (January 14, 2016) on the Dining Room table and directed Marilyn and I to read a page 4 headline:
“Castlegar Refugee Project (CRP) preparing to sponsor family”
This newly organized group in October of 2015, the article outlined, has the objective of sponsoring a Syrian Refugee family and requires $18,000 before they can submit their application for sponsorship to the Federal Government. The ultimate fund raising goal will require $20,000 to $30,000 to cover the costs of sponsorship in collaboration with the Government.
“I immediately went to the Heritage Credit Union (HCU) and donated $100,” Darrell emphatically stated. (The HCU was accepting donations on behalf of CRP and matching all donations up to $2,500).
“When I thought about this,” Darrell continued, “I immediately thought of my ancestors, the Doukhobors, and how they were so graciously accepted into Canada in 1899. If they had not been sponsored, without any reservation, by the Quakers and Lev Tolstoy in their plight with the Russian Government and religious persecution, it is unlikely that I would not be here to talk about this today.”
It is with his urging and enthusiasm, that I write this blog entry and encourage all of you to support this campaign initiated by the CRP. A call to Rosemary Manarin, chair of CRP, at (250) 365 6470 will inform you of the many other methods that you can participate such as:
• Positive outlook to the project
• Gifts
• Furniture
• Housing
• Doctor and Dentist treatment
• Housing
• In-kind support
• Clothing
• Other essentials to a family that will arrive with nothing
The CRP is a recognized constituent group, under the auspices of the Anglican Diocese in the sponsorship agreement holder with Immigration Canada. The Committee already has ten (10) members and thirty (30)volunteers.
Obviously, it is up to each and every one of us to participate in which ever manner we can.
1. As requested by Darrell Verigin on January14, 2016
Written on January 24, 2016 in my Office at 145 – 4200 Grandview Drive, Castlegar, B.C. 1845 hours by Elmer Verigin
Elmer Verigin 
well written Elmer also if you could ad that if everybody in the community could find it in there heart to donate 3.00$ each we could reach the goal of $18.000.00.
thanxs
Darrell Verigin
Darrell:
We will leave that to everyone’s discretion for now. I understand that there is a fund-raiser scheduled from 1 to 4 P.M. on Monday, February 08, 2016 at the Castlegar Complex. Doukhobor Choirs will be performing and many of the local cultures will add their specific talents.
The objective is to raise awareness to project
Elmer