Approximately $1.62 million has so far been raised by the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (www.cufoundation.ca) to provide food packages, medicine and shelter to people displaced by the war in that eastern European nation.
The bulk of that money has come from Saskatchewan.
The fundraising campaign, organized jointly by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF), aims to raise a total of $25 million over the coming weeks.
During a 12-hour Rawlco Radio ‘Saskatchewan Day of Caring for Ukraine’ broadcast on Thursday, March 3, updates on the Russian invasion and the plight of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the occupied areas were interspersed with appeals to support the fundraising campaign. During the 12-hour broadcast, the people of Saskatchewan donated $1,020,125 to the humanitarian relief campaign.
While the bombs are falling many thousands of kilometers away, they’re landing very close to home for thousands of Saskatchewan residents of Ukrainian descent. Oddy Ostapowich, manager of the Walk-in Cuts hairstyle salon in Warman, is collecting funds at her shop on behalf of the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
“It’s something I feel very strongly about,” said Ostapowich, who is originally from Wynyard. “Many years ago, my ancestors came from Ukraine and moved to Saskatchewan. I feel a close connection to that country, and I think its important to do all I can to help the people of Ukraine at a time when they really need it.”
In late February, Russia invaded Ukraine, attacking military facilities, infrastructure and civilian targets. The World Health Organization estimates 20 million people are directly impacted by the war.
The Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has identified partners on the ground in Ukraine and surrounding countries who will deliver aid to the affected population, according to a news release issued by the CUF on March 7.
CUF is also working with several independent initiatives across Canada to coordinate the delivery of medical supplies.
Donations in support of humanitarian relief can be made through: www.cufoundation.ca or by sending a cheque to the CUF office (620 Spadina Ave, suite 200, Toronto, ON, M5S 2H4). For further information: ukraineappeal@cufoundation.ca
The Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established to coordinate, develop, organize, and deliver assistance projects generated by Canadians and directed to Ukraine. CUF was established as a national charitable foundation that would coordinate Canadian organizations that have projects across both Ukraine as well as Canada.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is the voice of Canada’s Ukrainian community. The Congress brings together under one umbrella all the national, provincial and local Ukrainian Canadian organizations. Together with its member organizations, the UCC has been leading, coordinating and representing the interests of one of Canada’s largest ethnic communities (1.4 million) since 1940.