The fundraising campaign launched by the CAUT Refugee Foundation last fall to help victims of the civil war in Syria was a major success.

Thanks to the generous donations of CAUT members, the foundation raised $38,140. The money was sent to the Red Cross, which is actively managing the Syrian refugee crisis as it plays out in Greece, Serbia, Italy and Macedonia. Red Cross volunteers are providing refugees and migrants with essential relief items such as food and water, as well as first-aid.

For every dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities between Sept. 12 and Feb. 29, 2016 in response to the conflict in Syria, the Government of Canada promised to set aside one dollar in its own Syria Emergency Relief Fund. So in the end, the total raised by CAUT members in just a few short months comes close to $80,000.