The Zustreech Ukrainian Society and members of the Sich Kolomea Orthodox Church held on Saturday, July 27 their second fundraiser barbecue, since the onset of the Russian invasion, in the Ukraina Park in Mundare with the intention of raising money for the war effort in Ukraine.
The event saw approximately 120 tickets sold, a decrease from last year’s 175, but regardless Mundare’s Ukraina Park was overflowing with conversation and gratitude.
The tickets, costing $50, are to be considered a donation to the Zustreech Ukrainian Society, who use the money to purchase and ship much-needed goods to the Ukrainian army.
Bohdan, a Ukrainian man who had immigrated to Canada long before the war broke out, and a member of the Zustreech Ukrainian Society, says that every weekend he, through the help of the society, sends 200 pounds worth of essential goods to Ukraine.
“Medical equipment such as tourniquets and blood stoppers, running shoes, backpacks, coffee, and canned goods,” Bohdan had explained the sorts of goods he meticulously packs into plastic bins and ships off to his home country.
“These supplies save lives,” he emphasised, as Bohdan had personally been to the frontlines, he knows very well that the men fighting for their country need more than the ammunition and weapons that many governments have been sending.
The Zustreech Ukrainian Society informed the Leader that they have shipped 12 tonnes of equipment to date, a figure that they ensured will only grow until the fighting ceases. The shipping of these goods comes at a cost, as the Society estimates that they have spent nearly $400,000 to date on their mission.
The cost of their business necessitates fundraising events such as this yearly, as long as the war continues, –and if you could not make it, the Zustreech Ukrainian Society has an etransfer that anyone who wishes to donate to the cause is encouraged to utilise: Zustreech@Gmail.com
Bohdan himself works tirelessly to find ways to raise money; whether that be from the donation box he displays at farmers markets, or as Charlie Gargus recalled Bohdan labouring in the former mayor’s yard– only to refuse payment “make a donation to the army,” he requested.
The event was attended by families who escaped the war and found a new home here in Alberta.
Olena Adamchuk, a refugee and mother, told the Leader that “Vegreville is a very friendly community, the children love their teachers and the other children they met at school.”
Olena expressed her gratitude to be able to make her family a home somewhere she knows her children will be safe – the mother was pregnant and two days away from her due date.
Olena’s young daughter who had bows of blue and yellow displayed proudly atop her hair was asked to share what her favourite part of her new home was, a question she answered simply – “playing.”
Ulyana Kipran, another Ukrainian mother who had fled the war, wishes to thank the Vegreville community for accepting her and her sons and providing the young family with a home.
“They hosted us with traditional Ukrainian food to help us feel at home. They helped with documentation, driving, healthcare, groceries, everything has been first class.” The mother also wished to express her gratitude for the teachers here who ensured her sons Valerly and Oleksiy received extra attention as they studied English.
The event was not only attended by the families who fled the war, but by the people who helped them settle here.
Sonia Shalewa, a member of the
Zustreech Ukrainian Society, and wife to John Shalewa, explained how her husband was the President of the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services in Edmonton at the outbreak of the war. Her husband’s small organization of two office staff and however many volunteers they could get their hands on, managed to play a role in the settling of 4,000 refugee families.
The Shalewa family were not the only attendees who were involved in settling the thousands of Ukrainian refugees that Alberta took in. Helen Tymoczko, a lawyer, who volunteered her time to serve as a notary for the steady flow of Ukrainians fleeing the war; greatly assisting folks who had greater worries than paperwork. Helen says “Everywhere I go I try to find the Ukrainians.”
It is not only native Albertans who have been working tirelessly to help bring those affected by the war to safety. Violetta-Viktoriia, a Ukrainian who fled the war in 2022 to settle in Alberta, turned her efforts towards helping her compatriots to safety. Through the Catholic Social Services organisation, which employs Violetta-Viktoriia as a Settlement Counsellor, the newcomer has spent her time trying to help others find a new life in Canada – just as she has.
Ross Demkiw, also present at the barbecue, was a member of the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine during the outbreak of the war. He recalled how his wife and daughter were evacuated back to Canada and how every Monday, like clockwork, Russian missiles would leave craters throughout the country.
LANDON ZABEL
