Small things with great love

Silver Valley parishioners offer much-needed help to support refugees

When reflecting on the efforts she has recently been a part of to help refugee families trying to rebuild their lives in Canada, Silver Valley parishioner Karen Weiss looks to the quote of St. Mother Teresa she has framed and displayed in her home.

The saint’s words, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love,” reflect for Karen that her charitable efforts, no matter how small or local, are part of the great call from Jesus to be stewards to others.

“I believe God wants us to help these people; He sent them here for a reason,” Karen said of the refugee families that parishioners and volunteers in Silver Valley have been gathering donations for in recent weeks. “I believe God desires of us to help others. If He shows us someone who needs help, it’s our responsibility to help them. When I think of these families and what they’ve gone through to get here, any chance to help them is very important.”

For many years, Catholics across the Peace Country have been involved in efforts to help refugee families in the Grande Prairie area. And now, thanks to a group of Silver Valley parishioners who are as determined as they are compassionate, these efforts have been blessed with a new team of volunteers willing to help. In the past month alone they have gathered together a multitude of donations for these families, many of whom have fled from war-torn areas in the Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa.

Donna Nelson of Silver Valley is a key part of these efforts, working alongside other volunteers and with Sexsmith parishioner Lucille Partington, who coordinates much of the work involved with helping these refugee families. Lucille works alongside other volunteers in Grande Prairie, Bezanson, Sexsmith, Beaverlodge and now – with several volunteers in Silver Valley. Each week she has let Donna know what things the families are most in need of, and from there Donna spreads the word to her contacts in Silver Valley and the donations are gathered.

Using their vehicles as a measurement, Donna estimates that just since Christmas her and her fellow Silver Valley volunteers have now contributed more than ten “truckloads” full of donations. It’s been an effort where everyone in the community is willing to pitch in and do their part.

Much like the other volunteers, what inspires Donna above all is the constant message of the Gospel: that service to God comes through service to others.

“If you have two coats, give one away – it comes right out of the Bible. We know how blessed we are and lucky we are, and many of these people are running for their lives. How can you not help them out?” said Donna. “Even when we think we don’t have a lot ourselves, through efforts like this you see how much you do have, and that there are people out there whose needs are so much greater.”

This charitable initiative, now expected to continue as long as the need is there, began with what was expected to be a one-time donation of ten quilts.

It was on December 20th of last year that the Savanna Creations Quilting Club in Silver Valley were finalizing their donations for their annual Christmas hamper drive to local families in need. When they realized they had ten additional quilts left over, Donna decided to contact St. Joseph Church in Grande Prairie to see if they could be used in any of the parish’s charitable outreach.

From there Donna was directed to contact Lucille Partington, who oversees several efforts to help refugee families settling in the area.

“Lucille was very happy to be contacted and she spoke of the great need they had in various areas,” Donna recalled. “Since that conversation, we have just kept on gathering things and donating – through our church group, through our quilting group, and with the help of other families in the area.”

This is only an excerpt. Read the full story in the January-February 2025 edition of Northern Light