Bridge to Peace Initiative aids Ukraine
Community plans three-day emergency donation drive and show of support on Monday
Niagarans are asked to show their support for Ukraine with a rally planned to coincide with Russian Victory Day celebrations on Monday, while the region’s Ukrainian community launches a renewed drive for donations to help the people of the war-torn country.
In an event called the Bridge to Peace Initiative, Laryssa Doigtymczyszyn, relief co-ordinator at St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church in St. Catharines, is asking people to gather on QEW overpasses throughout the region at 6 p.m. that day with flags and signs to “just really show a visible support for our fellow Ukrainians.”
“I was kind of going for a Highway of Heroes idea,” she said, referring to the honour for Canadian soldiers killed in combat.
She said news reports from Russia have indicated that a Victory Day parade may pass through the ruins of Mariupol, Ukraine — “which is sick.”
Victory Day commemorates the Soviet Union victory in the Second World War.
Doig-tymczyszyn said she is confident the Niagara gesture will resonate with the people still in Ukraine.
“They see it. I’ve been speaking with family members in Ukraine and they comment on every single Facebook post that I do. They see every single rally photo, and they are so grateful,” she said.
“It makes it worth it.” Details about the rally are available at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/42702010065/false#/invitationonline.
Meanwhile, volunteers are planning an emergency donation drive from Thursday to Saturday.
Doig-tymczyszyn said they are focusing on personal hygiene products such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, medications including 400 mg ibuprofen, trauma bandages, gauze, wound care medication and alcohol wipes, baby formula, flashlights, emergency blankets and easily shipped foods such as granola bars, canned meat and instant coffee.
A full list of items is available on the St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church website.
“We’re working with a group out of Hamilton for shipping items overseas and, basically, they have contacts on the ground there and they’re providing us with updated lists every few days of what exactly they’re looking for,” Doig-tymczyszyn said.
She said the church is also accepting monetary donations.
While the majority of items collected during the emergency drive will be shipped to Ukraine and refugees in Poland, Doig-tymczyszyn said some of the donations will likely be held back to help Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Niagara.
The church at 91 Lakeshore Rd. in St. Catharines will accept donations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
“We’ll have volunteers ready to sort everything. Just walk in and drop it off and that’s it,” she said. “It’s fairly easy. We have a pretty good group of volunteers we’re working with.”
AMD for Hope, based at Saint Peter and Saint Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Niagara Falls, is holding a donation drive as well, with its next event planned for Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 5906 Sylvia Pl.
That group is accepting medical donations, gently used clothing, hygiene products, non-perishable food, small appliances and basic needs for refugees arriving in the region.