CORVALLIS - A family fleeing the war in Iraq is hoping to arrive in Corvallis next week to start a new life. The family of refugees includes a mother and father, their teenage son and two adult daughters.

The chance for a safer, more peaceful life comes through the work of a new humanitarian group. Welcoming Iraqis to Oregon was formed in April on the heels of the successful fundraising organization CAAIR (Corvallis and Albany Assisting Iraqi Refugees), which was a temporary group created last year to raise money for Iraqi refugees living in Jordan.

CAAIR raised more than $35,000 for Mercy Corps efforts in Jordan refugee camps. After meeting the fundraising goal, it disbanded. A number of participants then began seeking other ways to help Iraqi refugees.

"What happens around the world affects us, and refugees from any nation need a safe home," said Loerna Simpson, who helped raise money for CAAIR and is now a member of WITO. "We initiated the attack on Iraq and are responsible for the chaos created in that country. I regret the situation that has forced people from their homes."

Dr. Cosimo Storniolo, who is helping organize the refugee effort, said WITO looked at several Oregon organizations able to bring Iraqi refugees to the United States, and settled on Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon as the best fit. Through the organization's subgroup SOAR (Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees), Ecumenical Ministries helps refugee families from all over the world find new homes in Oregon.

After learning more about SOAR's work, WITO members decided to sign on as co-sponsors of an Iraqi family, taking on the responsibility to find the incoming family housing, transportation, jobs and basic needs as soon as they arrived.

However, the family's arrival happened much sooner than expected, Storniolo said. The group was told in June it would likely take two to six months to process a family through the labyrinth of applying for and receiving refugee status and get them to Oregon. That figure was a little off.

"Sure enough, last week we got a call," Storniolo said with a laugh, informing them that a family would be arriving at the Portland Airport on July 11. Despite the short notice, WITO members have sped up their preparations.

"The group is awesome," Storniolo said. "It's a humanitarian effort supported by faith groups and secular peace groups."

Within the next week, WITO will be securing an apartment, stocking the kitchen, gathering donated furniture for the rest of the house and doing everything the members can to prepare a welcoming home for the family, whom they know little about. Because of concerns for privacy and safety, SOAR has given the group only minimal information.

WITO has held one fundraiser so far, a concert at Sunnyside Up Café last month that raised $600, but more monetary donations are needed to help pay for upfront rental costs and food for the family. Several group members are also collecting furniture and household supplies from various churches and community groups.

"We feel that it is America's duty to respond to the consequences of the war," Storniolo said.

When the family arrives, its refugee status makes it eligible to use the Oregon Health Plan and to apply for food stamps and housing assistance. Because the adults also will have work visas, they'll be able to start looking for employment immediately. Storniolo said he's hoping local businesses come forward with entry-level positions for the family.

SOAR is ready to send more Iraqi families to Corvallis as soon as possible, but WITO is waiting to settle the first family comfortably before beginning work on a second group. But Storniolo is confident that Corvallis residents are willing to do what they can for Iraqi refugees.

"It has really struck a chord in our community."

HOW TO HELP

To make donations, send checks to First Presbyterian Church, 114 S.W. Eighth St., Corvallis, OR 97333 with the name WITO written in the memo line. To find out what furniture and household items are still needed, e-mail Cosimo Storniolo at cstorniolo@hotmail.com. According to Lucy Noone, who is helping with the furniture effort, many pieces are still needed, including beds and dressers, as well as other basic pieces.

To find out more about SOAR, see www.emoregon.org/soar.php.