“Support Ukraine”- Joint Effort of WFWP Canada and YSP Canada
By Eveline Stewart and John Koester
Over the last century, Canada has been a destination chosen by many Ukrainians for political or economic reasons and Ukrainians represent the 5th largest ethnic population In Canada. It is estimated that 6,100 women, children and elderly have come to Canada since January 2022 due to the attack on their homeland. Sadly, left behind were many fathers, husbands, brothers, in-laws and cousins to fight the invasion.
Yulia Tarasova, a WFWP Canada member, was following the news on these refugees (one of them being her own mother) and sought to respond to their immediate needs. Therefore, in association with Youth and Students for Peace Canada (YSP) they started the “Support Ukraine Welcome project” in April 2022. This project is in line with the United Nations SDGs. The Ukrainian Canadian Medical Association of Ontario (UCMAO), generously provided the locale for the distribution of care packages for adults, children and babies containing hygienic products, food, toys, and household items. Working out of the Holistic Medical Clinic in Mississauga, these packages were distributed twice a month from April to June. Their goal to help 1,000 refugees was reached thanks to many donors and volunteers. Monetary donations in the amount of $2000 were collected which were spent on packaging and other essential items. Dozens of high school students, Ukrainians, and concerned citizens made up the bulk of volunteers for this venture.
This initiative did not go unnoticed, and very soon connections were made with other Ukrainian charitable organizations and YSP Canada was able to receive a very large donation from Casper, an e-commerce sleep product company that sells mattresses, pillows, blankets and diverse bedding items. After picking up the first load, the distribution was organized on July 10, at St. Mary's Dormition Ukrainian Catholic Church in downtown Toronto. This event was so popular that supplies ran out mid-morning after serving more than 150 families and, unfortunately, many other families had to be turned away. YuliaTarasova kept track of many families so they were able to receive their bedding items when a second distribution was held at St. Volodymyr Cultural Centre in Oakville on August 6. This time the distribution was better organized and held in a spacious facility. This event supported more than 200 families in Toronto and more were reached in Barrie, Brantford, Pickering and Hamilton. To the surprise of all, free ice cream cones were offered in Oakville which delighted so many of our recipients and volunteers. The hosts of the event, SVCC were really impressed by all the volunteers and their efficiency as the facilities were left in impeccable condition after what had seemed like mountains of pillows, blankets, cardboard boxes and the like just a short time before.
In total, 40 pallets of bedding products, with over 1,200 pillows, 200 blankets, 85 weighted blankets, and 200 sheet sets were distributed. Each item ranged between $60-$300 in value and all were brand new. The market value for the donation was over CAD $150,000. Needless to say, no one anticipated such manna from heaven. The organizers had the support of 14 YSP and WFWP volunteers and 8 high school students at the first event. The second event was supported by 20 YSP, WFWP members, as well as 18 high school students and Ukrainian volunteers.
Many thanks to John Koester from YSP Canada, who took care of all transportation, logistics and donations pick-ups as well as recruiting volunteers. Let us not forget Yulia Tarasova from WFWP Canada who contacted Ukrainian organizations and continues to help newcomers as she has become a natural leader and resource person to many. This project is indebted to many other Ukrainian charitable organizations which joined forces with the initiative and contributed enormously to the success of this outreach as well as UPF Canada which supported this endeavor by providing administrative support.
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