WINGHAM –
In a pandemic-stricken world awash in bad news, Royal Homes delivered some welcome glad tidings in time for Christmas.
Royal announced Monday it is donating $125,000 to Reception House Waterloo Region, helping the Kitchener-based organization provide First Canadian Home Start-Up Kits for refugee families.
The kits will include kitchenware, small appliances, toolkits and general household items.
This year, Reception House supported more than 430 refugees as they resettled and made our community their new home.
“We want to welcome them and show them the kind of Canada we really are,” said Royal Homes president Pieter Venema, who was interviewed by local radio and print reporters at Royal’s 110,000-square foot production facility in Wingham on Monday.
“We’re in the home-building business. It’s been a very good year for us. We feel, as part of that, we want to help those disadvantaged in the community – as well as people new to the country.”
Reception House supports government-assisted refugees during their first year in Canada by providing a “warm welcome” as people transition to a new country.
The community-based organization connects people with government support services like social benefits, health care and education. It also helps individuals and families find housing, employment and navigate systems and services that help create a sense of belonging as they settle in the community.
Now, through this donation, Royal Homes is helping Reception House step up its important work in difficult times.
“Reception House would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Royal Homes for their generous gift to support the people we serve,” said Lynne Griffiths Fulton, the interim chief executive officer for Reception House.
“We greatly appreciate this significant contribution to refugees resettling in our community. This gift will provide families arriving to Reception House in 2022 with household items like small appliances, kitchenware, cleaning supplies and tools, and help turn houses into homes for our newest neighbours.”
The events of the past year have torn many communities and families apart in places like Afghanistan, Venema noted.
“We realized there is no satisfactory answer to the question, ‘Why did this happen?’ Rather than dwell on ‘why’, we at Royal Homes asked ourselves the question – ‘What’ can we do to help?’ “ Venema said.
“We would encourage others in our community to also contribute to the work of Reception House.”
Link to article on BlackburnNews’ website: https://blackburnnews.com/midwestern-ontario/midwestern-ontario-news/2021/12/21/royal-homes-donates-organization-helps-immigrants-find-home/
Link to article on Reception House’s website: https://receptionhouse.ca/royal-homes-and-reception-house-to-support-refugees-in-waterloo-region/