A WARM WELCOME
Santa Fund parcel will sweeten Christmas for Ukrainian family starting from scratch,
Two-year-old David Kostyrkina sips his chocolate milk through a straw, then it’s his mother’s turn. He raises the milk box to his mom, Maryna’s, lips.
“Very activity,” she says, searching for words to describe her restless little boy.
David came to see his mother at the break between her English classes at COSTI Immigration Services, an agency on College St. that helps newcomers adapt to life in Canada. The centre runs a daycare for kids of parents enrolled in language instruction courses. Maryna, husband Olecsii and David moved here from a village near Kyiv almost a year ago.
“In Ukraine, not good situation,” she said. “My husband told me, ’I don’t see a future in this country. It’s war.’ ”
Maryna registered through COSTI for the Toronto Star’s Santa Claus Fund for her son. The 109-year-old charity drive provides children under 13 across the GTA with gift boxes full of warm clothing, books and treats.
Maryna welcomes the extra help because she is taking time off work to improve her English while her husband works as a plumber to support their family. Maryna was a gardener in Ukraine and hopes to work with flowers again one day. Olecsii was a dentist and made a living promoting mouthwash.
They now live in an apartment in Etobicoke, near parks and the Humber River.
Maryna says she enjoys life in Toronto, despite the even longer winters. Although her family can’t afford many luxuries right now, she says they’re much better off.
“Everything beautiful, everything better,” she says.
“Maybe I want something, more clothes or a watch, but now I understand it will be later, when I go to work.”
Like most kids, David doesn’t have his mother’s patience — at least when it comes to toys. Whenever they pass a toy store, a model car or train will catch his eye and he’ll say, “Mommy, please!” according to Maryna.
He’ll find a toy in his Star parcel — plus a hat, mitts and cookies. For many newcomers at COSTI and their families, the Star Santa Claus Fund is a source of support, says Mary Cellucci, a spokeswoman with the agency.
“For many, it is their first Christmas in Canada,” she said. “Many of our clients are speechless when they receive their gift. But the smile on their face and that of their children is all that is needed to know they feel blessed.” If you have been touched by the Santa Claus Fund or have a story to tell, please email santaclausfund@thestar.ca.