StFX for SAFE to hold Peace for Syria Walk

Let’s walk together to promote Peace for Syria

Photo: Kate brown georgallas

This year, the StFX for SAFE (Syria-Antigonish Families Embrace) Student Society marked the United Nations’ International Day of Peace with a fundraiser. We wanted to inspire Xaverians to promote Peace for Syria and continue raising funds for SAFE. We raised $1,031.31 thanks to donations and purchases of baked goods donated by students and the chocolates donated by Peace by Chocolate.

So much energy was brought to the event by the speech made by Prime Minister Justice Trudeau at the United Nations on the eve of our event. It was incredible to have the Prime Minister acknowledge both the incredible work of Antigonish community members who help Syrian families to settle in town and the success of the Hadhad family that started the company Peace by Chocolate here in Antigonish. The Hadhads had a chocolate factory in Syria that was bombed 3 years ago, but now they are making chocolates again to rebuild their lives in Antigonish. So thanks to all of you who donated food or stopped by to buy the treats and be part of the photo petition calling for Peace for Syria. And a shout out to the students who sold grilled cheese at the Inn Saturday night, raising another $268 for SAFE!

The energy around the Peace for Syria campaign is growing. We are reaching out to all Xaverians to come out on October 23rd for our Peace for Syria Walk. The walk will start at Bloomfield and upon our return there will be a barbecue, entertainment, and draws for amazing prizes donated by StFX and local business people. The schools and churches have also been invited to come out and walk.

There is lots of work to do to make this awareness campaign and fundraiser a big success. Lots of groups are on board already: the Students’ Union, StFX Athletics, StFX Advancement, O-Crew... Your energy is going to make this event a testament of the Xaverian Spirit! Together, we are determined to draw international attention to the plight of Syrian civilians and demand that more be done to help them. We will have a petition at the walk, one that compels world leaders to do more to broker peace in Syria and to help the thirteen million men, women, and children impacted by the war.

Kristian Rasenberg

President, StFX for SAFE Society

The Peace for Syria Walk was initially scheduled to take place on October 22nd at 11am. This article was updated to reflect the postponement to Sunday, October 23rd at 12pm due to weather.