Saamis Immigration looks to make newcomers welcome during Holiday Season

By Medicine Hat News on November 16, 2019.

Saamis Immigration has two initiatives planned to help newcomers feel welcome in Canada this Holiday Season.

On Nov. 22 – the night of Midnight Madness downtown – Saamis is hosting its second annual multicultural bake sale to raise money for programs and services for recent immigrants.

Hatters will be able to purchase treats from around the world, such as barabrith from Wales, baklava from Syria and bread from Eritrea.

There will also be various hot drinks from around the world available for free to help Midnight Madness attendees warm up.

This event will go from 5-10 p.m., or while supplies last, at Saamis’s downtown location at 645 Third St. SE.

Attendees are encouraged to come early, as Saamis ran out of baklava in about 45 minutes last year.

The other project is soliciting Christmas presents for newcomer children, 50 of whom have been settled by Saamis in the past year.

Saamis has an annual Holiday party for everyone who arrived in the past year, but many of the children don’t have toys.

Christmas sponsors are encouraged to purchase a $10 gift, or donate $10. Saamis has registration forms available so sponsors can know the age and gender identity of the child they’re buying a gift for.

Those interested in donating should register by Nov. 27 and have their gifts dropped off at Saamis by Dec. 4.