Whitehorse's Riverdale Baptist Church to sponsor Syrian refugees

Whitehorse's RiverdaleBaptist Churchisraising money to bring a family of Syrian refugees to the territory.

It's the second Yukonorganizationto begin the process of sponsoring a family. The other,Yukon Cares, has already raised more than $30,000 and is working to have a family of 10 arrive in Yukon sometime in the coming weeks.

• RELATED:Some 214 Syrian refugees expected to land in Toronto Tuesday

"Right now we really need pledges," said Hillary Gladish from the Riverdale Baptist Church.

She said the church is aiming to raise $18,500, at least half of it by Christmas. So far, it's raised about$8,700.

Some of the money raised so far has been pledged by church members, as well as a "very generous donation from the United church," Gladish said.

The Yukon government has said it willmatch fundsraised by sponsor groups, up to $18,500.

Church pastor Greg Anderson said it wasn't a difficult decision for the congregation to take on the challenge of sponsoring and supporting a refugee family. He said the church has sponsored Vietnamese refugees in the past, and has also helped a number of Filipino families settle in the territory.

"It's really something that we as a church family have had experience with, and something that we dojust part of our connection with our community," Anderson said.

The church is planning morefundraising events in the coming weeks, and is also looking into housing options for the family.