CALGARY – Five-year-old Syrian refugee Elie Khallas has donated his toys and story books to people fleeing Fort McMurray wildfire, after hearing from his parents on the destruction that has hit Alberta last week.

“He said he knows what they’re going through, and he wants to help,” Saima Jamal, co-founder of the Syrian Refugee Support Group in Calgary, told CBC on Wednesday, May 11.

Elie and his parents Rita and Salem arrived in Calgary as Syrian refugees in December.

When the young kid heard from his parents about the huge destruction in Fort McMurray, which brought back memories of their country, he went to his room, packed up his toys and story books, and told his parents he wanted to give them to those children who were fleeing the fire.

His father believes it was a direct reaction to the kindness they encountered upon their arrival to Canada.

“Our family, when we arrived to Canada, they provided us with all the help we needed. We want to do that back. Exactly what they give us, we want to give them back in their time of need,” Salem said.

Thee toys were part of donations made by Syrian refugees in Calgary, estimated by $1,960 so far for Fort McMurray evacuees.

Half of that has gone to the 99 Hampers for Hope initiative.

Another generous donation was made by Elie and his dad who gave $400 in cash to the Canadian Red Cross on behalf of the organization on Tuesday, at the CBC’s We’ve Got Your Back Fort Mac charity event.

“These people have so little themselves. They are ready to give back. It’s nothing short of remarkable,” said Jamal.

Last week, Muslims gathered at the Alberta Legislature to pray for rain.

In Toronto, Imams at Masjid Toronto, which hosts the largest gathering of Muslims in downtown Toronto with 6 prayer services at 2 mosques weekly, offered prayers and issued an appeal for donations to support the people affected by the wildfires.

The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) also opened up its mosques in Cold Lake and Edmonton to host the fire evacuees.