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A fundraiser benefit luncheon was held Saturday in Windsor, while a rally was held Sunday as local residents continue to step up to do what they can to support Ukrainians being impacted or displaced by the ongoing attack by Russia.
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The Polish Club of Windsor hosted the fundraiser pasta luncheon that was attended by roughly 700 people throughout the day. Funds that were raised will go to Lubycza Królewska in Poland — an agency near the Ukrainian border which is receiving hundreds of refugees daily.
“It was really wonderful with all the people that showed up (at the luncheon),” said Leisha Nazarewich, who has helped organize ongoing support locally for Ukraine. “We can’t thank the volunteers at the club enough and their leadership for having done this on behalf of Ukrainians. It was unbelievable.”
A Sunday support rally was also held outside the Ukranian National Federation Hall on Ottawa Street that was attended by over 100 people.
The local hall has helped collect and direct any donations of funds or goods in support of humanitarian needs of Ukrainians who are being displaced.
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“We are trying to do what we can to help those being hurt by this conflict,” Nazarewich said. “We are collecting some items and money that people contribute.
“We have people taking everything to Toronto where they have the expertise to get parcels and donations to the right connections in Ukraine. We are not geared here to send directly, so we are making sure everything gets there.”
The organization in Toronto is the Canada-Ukraine Foundation which has already provided over $1.5 million in aid to assist in supplying food packages, medicine and shelter.
Donations can be made directly to the foundation in Toronto by visiting online at cufoundation.ca.
At the local Ukrainian hall, aside from financial aid, any donated items preferred are needed for babies that include diapers or formula, clothing for all ages, non-perishable items and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.
The hall is located at 1033 Ottawa St. For more information about contributing, call the hall at 519-254-5559.
“We are very heartened that people here see what is happening in Ukraine, the humanitarian conditions, and so many are reaching out to help,” Nazarewich said.