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Sharing the kindness of strangers

South Surrey/White Rock Oneness Gogos make, deliver Welcome Bags for new Canadians.
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Oneness Gogos Debbie Riopel (left) and Penny Cuddy with Welcome Bags that will be delivered to Options for distribution to new Canadians.

Local Oneness Gogos are celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 8-14) with the delivery of Welcome Bags for new Canadians.

The 60 bags – filled with "treasures for all age groups" – were assembled Feb. 1 and are to be delivered today (Friday) to Options Community Services' Immigrant Settlement Program in Newton for distribution to Syrian refugees.

The effort marks the fifth year the local Gogos have celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Week. The group is among more than 240 grandmother groups across Canada who raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Those funds benefit grassroots projects proposed by grandmothers in Africa, which allow them to support and nurture children in their care who have been orphaned by AIDS.

The colourful cotton Welcome Bags – handmade by the Gogos – to be delivered today each contain a variety of toiletries and personal items, as well as a hand-knit doll, activity books and crayons.

"We hope that a little kindness will bring smiles to all and a desire to pass on a small kindness to others," a news release announcing the plan states.

Next up for the grandmothers is a pub night fundraiser.

The third annual event – Gogos Go Irish – is set for 7-11 p.m. March 5 at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Beach Branch 240 (2643 128 St.).

Part of White Rock's month-long Irish Festival, Gogos Go Irish is to feature the Timewalkers and the Surrey International Folk Dancing Society. Tickets, $30, are available by calling 604-542-4775 or 604-535-2235.