SARAH WILLIAMS

STAFF WRITER

After fleeing war in Syria, Prince Edward County residents Adnan Mustafa and Suhaila El Husein, along with their five children, once again found themselves facing adversity when their rented house in Wellington burned down last month.

The community has rallied, however, raising over $73,000 to support the family who own local business Papa Ghanoush and Momma Hummus. The funds were raised online through a Fundly page set up by Carlyn Moulton. The initial goal was $65,000.

COMMUNITY LESSONS- A group of young students help raise money for a local family of Syrian refugees whose house recently burned down. (Submitted Photo)

The silver lining is that the family’s next home will be a forever one. According to PEC Syria, the family is currently housed in temporary lodgings and will move to their own home in Wellington at the end of July.

The most recent fundraising efforts included an ice-cream fundraiser at PECI, and a car wash at the Picton Elk’s Lodge.

Karen Adams, who helped organize the car wash with her children Owen and Harvey, explained her kids began talking about the loss the Mustafa/El Husein family suffered. Adams reached out to her friend Kelly Bannister, a member of the Elk’s Lodge.

“I asked her if we could do the car wash there, where they have a large parking lot,” said Ms. Adams. “I thought it would be a good location with the ice cream place next door.”

Bannister acted quickly to secure the Elk’s Lodge for the car wash.

“Kelly was amazing. Right away she contacted someone at the Elk’s Lodge and called me back within the hour to say we could do the carwash on the following Sunday,” recounted Adams.“I called the school the next day and asked the guidance counsellor if it would be okay to ask students if they wanted to volunteer and get their volunteer hours necessary to graduate. She was immediately supportive.”

“The kids spent about an hour making signs in class,” explained Adams. “It was great- they asked their friends to come out as well,” said Bakes. “Then, some friends of mine-Tammy Noyes, her husband, and daughter, came out as well. We had all these people volunteer. It was great.”

All told, about 10 kids came out to help with the car wash. “We had a few students from the P.E.C.I. Girls Rugby Team volunteer as well,” said Adams.

They raised just over $500

“We had to make a donation to the Elks to do the car wash, so they gave us back $500 So, all told we were able to donate $1000,” Adams said. “I know it’s not a lot, but hopefully it helps.”

Adams credits the generosity of the community with the success of the car wash.

“The kids were working hard, non-stop washing cars,” she added. “Most people were so generous. We suggested a $5 donation, but most people donated well over $20.”