Linda Hughson is committed to being creative with the resources she has to help the Syrian refugees who are settling in Orangeville.

Ms. Hughson owns the Chez Nous consignment store at 70 Broadway, and she has created the option that people who come to sell their clothes to the store can donate the funds they make to the Headwaters Syrian Refugee Committee (HSRC).

The first Syrian family – Emad and Razan Al Haj Ali and their two children, eight-year-old Fatema and seven-year-old Hamoudi – arrived in Orangeville on December 14. They are being well taken care of by the HSRC, who are devoted to helping them with all of their various needs. The refugees arrived in Canada to a furnished townhouse and many other provisions.

The family is from northern Syria. They were forced to flee their house in the middle of the night, and took a cab straight to Jordan, where they waited for three years.

“They are absolutely lovely,” said committee member Ann Lay. “They are the nicest people. They have a boy and a girl and she is pregnant with a third child.”

The HSRC is coalition of several local churches, though anyone is welcome to join. They sponsored the first family, and their next goal is to sponsor some relatives of this family.
Ms. Hughson got the idea to donate to the group from Ms. Lay, a friend of hers. However Ms. Hughson has done things like this before. She has helped customers donate their funds to other causes such as Out of the Cold, Family Transition Place, The Lighthouse, different organizations overseas, and more.

She is willing to set up an account for any cause which her customers want to donate to.
“Linda is an amazing person,” gushed Ms. Lay. “She’s collected things for the refugees to wear, and donated clothes she doesn’t sell. I don’t know anyone that works harder than her.”

The store accepts all kinds of used clothing, including men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, purses, and jewelry. The items should be in good condition and should be either brand name or designer merchandise.

Funds for the HSRC can also be donated to Westminster United Church, which can provide tax receipts.

“I am thankful that I am able to help out this worthy cause,” said Ms. Hughson. “We greatly benefit ourselves by helping one another.”