As the first Syrian refugees touch down in Canada, the Nova Scotia government is announcing the opening of a donation drop-off centre in Halifax.

The province has offered to resettle up to 1,500 Syrian refugees and the government says the centre is the latest step in preparations to welcome the refugees to Nova Scotia.

"The generousity of Nova Scotians has been amazing," said Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab in a statement Thursday. "Nova Scotians are giving whatever they can, from a $5 bill in a card to the premier's office to the generous donation of a building from Armco Capital and Rank Inc. This willingness to help others is what makes me proud to be Nova Scotian."

The drop-off center will open this Saturday at the former RONA store in the Bayers Lake Business Park in Halifax.

"As co-owners of this building, Armco and Rank are grateful to be able to provide any help we can to the families that are coming to Nova Scotia so that they can begin building their lives in Canada," said George Armoyan Jr.

“Nova Scotia was a place where my dad was able to work hard and build a better life for his family and himself.”

The first refugees coming to Canada will arrive through Toronto and Montreal. Those who arrive in Toronto will settle in Ontario and Western Canada, while those who arrive in Montreal will settle in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

The first plane arrives in Toronto Thursday night. The second will land in Montreal on Saturday.

“Most of the individuals are staying in the province of Quebec and I think there might be one or two who are going to other provinces, none of which are Nova Scotia,” said Suzanne Ley, the executive director of Nova Scotia’s office of immigration.

More than 100 groups in Nova Scotia are gearing up to accept privately sponsored refugees, and 46 people are expected to arrive by the end of the month.

The government-assisted refugees are expected to settle in Halifax, but the number and timeline have not been determined.

“That’s actually our norm, that’s the way we work,” said ISANS executive director Gerry Mills. Mills said her organization will be ready when the call comes.

The province says its 211 line has received 2,123 calls, emails and voice messages offering assistance – an average of 100 contacts per day – since Nov. 17.

Donors who have called the 211 refugee line in the Halifax area will receive a voicemail or email directing them to drop off their donations at the centre.

For donors outside Halifax, the government says their offers have been shared with refugee response groups in their area and they will be contacted by those groups.

For those wishing to make a financial donation, the province has released a list of charities that support refugee efforts in Nova Scotia. The donation drop-off centre will not be accepting financial items.

As for needed items, they include the following:

·         Winter outerwear and footwear

·         Warm sweaters and socks

·         Children’s clothing

·         New backpacks with school supplies

·         Toys and baby gear, including diapers, strollers, cribs etc.

·         Furniture, such as kitchen tables, chairs and bed frames.

·         Household items, such as lamps, curtains and towels.

·         Gift cards for groceries and household items

The drop-off centre will operate from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Dec. 12 until Dec. 22. It will close over Christmas and reopen Dec. 29.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Jacqueline Foster