Syrian refugees Summerside-bound

A Summerside church group has sponsored two Syrian refugee families, and expects them to arrive on P.E.I.in the new year.

The sponsorship group at Trinity United Church says donations have been pouring in. The church committee agreed to put up $15,000 per family and get homes ready for those families.

Church member Sharon Moyse said there are advantages to bringing the two families at once, particularly because one of the families does not speak English.

"[When] you have two families come at once they would have company. The first family doesn't speak English so there will be someone speaking Arabic with them here," said Moyse.

"That would facilitate them fitting into the community if they have someone they can talk to."

The group has raised $10,000 so far, and plans to launch a GoFundMe campaign soon to raise the other $20,000. With the support the committee has seen so far from the community, it is confident the money will be raised in time.