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25 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M arch 19,2020 theifp.ca CASH ONLY Shelter 519.833.2287 Thrift Shop 905.702.8661 www.uppercredit.com info@uppercredit.com Charitable Registration #893738872RR0001 Rabies and Microchip Clinic Clinic sponsored by Dr. F. Walker, DVM Date: Apr. 18, 2020 Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Location: Premier Equipment, 8911 Wellington Road 124, Ospringe $30 for rabies vaccine $30 for microchip Creating great smiles New Patients Welcome Family and Cosmetic Dentistry marketplace Dental Centre Georgetown Marketplace Mall 905-877-CARE (2273) • www.georgetowndental.com HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 8:00am - 8:00pm • Tuesday & Thursday 8:00am - 6:00pm • Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm Proudly Serving Georgetown Since 1994. Welcome Dr. Ali Dr. Ali's years of experience in Family Medicine along with his compassionate and pleasant demeanor make him a wonderful addition to our family! FULL SERVICE MEDICAL CLINIC Open 7 Days a Week 221 Miller Dr., Georgetown 905-873-1001 GenesisHealthTeam.com WALK-IN & FAMILY CLINIC • Male & Female Physicians • Family & Walk-in • Women's Health & Pregnancy Care • Sports Medicine • Extended Hours • Senior's Health • Lab On-Site • Pharmacy On-Site Where good health begins GFORCe-2 (Georgetown Friends of Refugees Com- mittee-2) a group of local Presbyterian, United, Catholic and Anglican churches working together to bring Syrian refugees to Canada. "When I heard there were people in Canada that wanted to sponsor a Syrian family, that was crazy to me," Elias said. While Elias and Mirna were thrilled to get the news, in Canada, helping out turned out to be tough- er than expected. GFORCe-2 had been presented with profiles for a number of families. "It was awful to have to choose," said the commit- tee's Elizabeth Ivany. For Elias and Mirna, they had to make the diffi- cult decision to come to Canada and leave their par- ents behind (Mirna's mom is still in Syria). Elias and Mirna's first- ever flight took them to Cairo in August, where Mirna was happy to board a larger plane to complete the journey to Toronto. "I'm so happy we came to Canada," Elias says. "Wherever we go, everyone is welcoming us." The couple got to play the role of welcoming com- mittee last month when Elias' parents joined them in Georgetown. "When we got a mes- sage from the Canadian embassy that our papers were ready, (my wife) started to dance," said Sa- mir Hajjah. "We still don't believe it. Is this real or is it a dream?" Under the terms of their sponsorship, GFORCe-2 must provide financial sup- port for the family for a year. Elias has found a job with an Acton construc- tion company while Mirna is taking English classes before looking for work. Two fundraisers are planned: a pancake break- fast at Norval United Church on Saturday, March 28 from 8-10:30 a.m., plus a concert of church choirs and the Georgetown Bach Chorale on June 6 at Holy Cross. "We're very grateful," Elias said of the local group's efforts to bring them to Canada. "Without them, this would have been impossible." NEWS Continued from page 14 FAMILY SO HAPPY TO BE IN CANADA SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA