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NEWS Syrian family overwhelmed by love, generosity of By Julie Slack CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of total strangers, a young Syrian family expressed their gratitude moments after their arâ€" rival in Toronto. Councillor Zeeshan Hamid worked with Asad Chaudhry, president of the Islamic Centre of Milton, to help raise funds to sponsor 15 families. So far, more than $160,000 has been collected out of the $400,000 pledged over 12 months in Milton. Last Thursday, a tired, and tearyâ€" eyed mother, her son and her husâ€" band arrived at Pearson Internaâ€" tional Airport, after a short flight from Montreal where they spent their first two days on Canadian soil going through procedural paperâ€" work and processing. Hamid didn‘t hesitate to hand Nehle Yusuf a colourful bouquet of daisies. Shy and cautious of all the media attention, cameras and questions, she held her young son Murad Haci Ahmet close. He took pleasure in plucking the petals off Councillor Zeeshan Hamid, who was instrumental in helping to raise funds to bring Syrian families to Milton, ? T welcomes a young family at Pearson International Airport in Mississauga last Thursday. From left, Hamid, Subhi Haci Ahmed, Nehle Yusuf, and Murad Haci Ahmet. Julie Slack / Canadian Champion the flowers. Dad Subhi Haci Ahmed was quick to say thank you to the kindness of strangers. Holding his hands over his heart, and with the help of a translator, he said they are in shock and disbelief over the warm welcome "We are very, very happy," he said, through an interpreter. "We are exâ€" hausted, it was a very long journey and we are excited. "We went through a lot (in Syria) and we thank God we are here, and we appreciate all the kindness of the sponsors. "They don‘t know us these people and they just gave money to help," he said, adding this will be the first Miltonians time in three years that he will have a good night‘s sleep. The family stayed with Hamid unâ€" til Saturday, when they moved in to their twoâ€"bedroom apartment. Most of their furniture and clothing has been donated. Hamid said the family had escaped 3 from Alâ€"Qamishly, Syria three years 7 ago. It is a city in northeastern Syria > that borders Turkey, where they > lived in refugee camps for the last $ three years. "We had 125 donors and volunâ€" Â¥ teers of every background and ; ethnicity...it doesn‘t matter when Â¥ it comes to charity and humanity. 2 That‘s what unites us," said Hamid. < Since the new family speaks onlyg Arabic, it will take some time for 5 them to adjust, said the local counâ€" 2: cillor, who drove them home from the airport. There was a huge welcoming at the : airport as numerous families arâ€" rived from Syria the same day. Caâ€" nadians came equipped with presâ€" ents, flowers, chocolates and hugs, in the heartwarming scene at the arrival gate. AIW | 9TOZ ‘T t Aueniqay Aepsuiny} | g J NV uoyeyap wod STIRLING MONTESSORI ACADEMY Enrolling now for September Halfâ€"day / Fullâ€"day 123 Main St. East Milton â€" www.stirlingmontessori.com TFSA or RRSP!. Ask me how. May 31, 2016 on net new Score a high 3.00% interest rate through May 31, 2016 on every new dollar added to your Manulife Bank ‘Limited time offer for deposits made from December 1, 2015 to March 15, 2016. Manulife Bank‘s Taxâ€"Free and Registered Advantage Account promotional interest rate of 3.00% is a variable rate, calculated daily and paid monthly from December 1, 2015 to deposits received December 1, 2015 to March 15, 2016. Rates are as at December 1, 2015 and subject to change without notice. Visit manulifebank.ca for full terms and conditions. Manulife, Manulife Bank and the Block Design, are uadmwk:ofTMMmMmasLfielnsumCmpawmdarewedbyn,andbyitsaffiliatesmdellicm. INDIRA ---------- 2016 programs 3 â€" 6 years 905â€"864â€"6000 Indira Naidooâ€"Harris. Saturday, February 13, 2016 Doors Open: 9:30am FREE Film Starts: 10:00am Galaxy Cinemas Milton 1175 .”Li'f“f' ‘\‘."n':'\n' Milton, ON L9T OA D. Scot Sinden (289) 971â€"4946 ssinden@rogers.com Seats are limited. First come, first served. Everyone Welcome. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: EMAIL: inaidoo-harris.mpp.cma\liberal.ola.org TEL: 905â€"878â€"1729 t Indira Naidooâ€"Harris MPP Halton PRESENTS PADDINGTON _ .................. Celebrate Family Day with a special, FREE movie presentation of Paddington hosted by MPP for Halton, ..........