Friday night was another first for Syrian families living in Altona, Man., as they prep for their first Thanksgiving dinner.
Mustafa Alsaid Hammoud and his wife, Mona, both newcomers to the country, prepared enough shawarma to feed more than 100 guests at a community supper in the town.
Since moving to Canada in January, Mustafa, Mona and their kids say they have a lot to be thankful for.
"I like Canada. I like Altona because it's safe for my family, I give thanks for that," Mona said.
"Safety number one, good people, school, hospitals, everything is very good here," Mustafa added.
They are a part of a strong Syrian community that makes up 1 per cent of the town's population.
"We try our best to make a safe place for them to show them the love that a community can, and I think Altona community has done an amazing job with that," Cindy Klassen, a volunteer with Build a Villag, an organization that has helped 45 Syrian refugees move to Altona.
Friday’s dinner was a chance for many in the community to meet their new neighbours.
"It’s a celebration of the fact that there is an idea, the community embraced the idea, it's a success, it's not necessarily concluded yet, but it's a success and we will continue working with them," Altona Mayor Mel Klassen said.
