Nova Scotia lists donations needed for Syrian refugees

The Nova Scotiagovernment is being pickyin what it wants peopleto donate to Syrian refugees who are moving to theprovince.

When the province first started accepting donations through it's 211 phone service it took almost all that was offered. But now that a drop-off centre in Halifax is opening, the province is restricting what it will accept.

Donations the drop-off centre will accept:

• winter outerwear and footwear (children and adults)
• warm sweaters and socks (children and adults)
• children's clothing (all sizes)
• new toiletries
• baby supplies such as: strollers, cribs and diapers
• toys, arts and crafts
• new backpacks with school supplies
• gift cards for groceries and household goods
• furniture such as:bed frames, kitchen tablesand chairs
• household items such as: kitchen ware, lamps and towels

Donations not accepted:

• used mattresses
• food
• electronics
• clothing (other than what was listed above)
• books
• large appliances and furniture such as fridges, stoves and couches

The drop-off centre will be set up in the former RONA store in the Bayers Lake Business Park in Halifax.

The centre at 350 Horseshoe Lake Dr. will open at 11 a.m on Saturday. It will be staffed by volunteers and government workers.

Immigration Minister Lena Diab said Nova Scotians have stepped up to help refugees. Offers have flooded in since the province started using the211 phone service to accept donations.

"I am amazed but I am not surprised by the generosity being shown by Nova Scotians for our newest Nova Scotians," said Diab.

The province has offered to take in 1,500 Syrian refugees. The provincial government expects that Nova Scotia will receive 46 privately sponsored refugees before the end of December.

The first federally sponsored refugees are expected to start arriving in Canada today.