Local Ukrainian groups came together at the Ukrainian Banquet Hall in downtown Burlington yesterday (Feb. 21) to take part in a take-out fundraiser to raise money for the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“The situation is dire in Ukraine and it’s getting worse,” Natalie Nebesny, vice-president of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s Union, said. “Hospitals have been ruined, damaged, bombed and medical aid is very necessary.”
The Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada’s (UCWLC) Burlington parish has been raising money for the war effort in Ukraine for some time, and has raised around $20,000 to send pharmaceutical aid to the European country through Health Partners International Canada (HPIC).
Residents could visit the banquet hall between 2:30 and 6 p.m. and donate $15 to receive a plate of traditional Ukrainian food, including perogies, sausage, sauerkraut, fried onions and sour cream.
Nebesny also spoke about how the group has yet to decide on exactly where the money raised through the take-out fundraiser will be donated to, and doesn’t intend to rush into any decisions without being sure about the cause they’ve chosen.
“For this fundraiser, we’re going to decide whether it’s going to be sending medical aid to Ukraine or if it will be going towards the children there,” she said. “There is so much help needed in every direction. When we find a good, reliable source of getting the money over, then we’ll send it.”
The UCWLC’s Burlington branch hopes to run the fundraiser on the third Friday of every month to continue raising money for the people of Ukraine.
Monday, Feb. 24, marks three years since the war in Ukraine began, and the Hamilton Ukrainian Congress will be holding a rally at Hamilton City Hall at 3 p.m. to commemorate the date.