A list of Vancouver Island organizations providing aid for Ukraine

A list of Vancouver Island organizations providing aid for Ukraine
Nicholas Pescod/CHEK News

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine stretches on, organizations across Canada are stepping up to help those who need it most.

That includes a number of businesses on Vancouver Island. Below, find a list of these businesses that are offering a helping hand, and what you can do to step up for Ukraine in its time of need.

Ukrainian-Canadian Cultural Centre of Vancouver Island

The centre features a number of ways to help on its website, including links to donate to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal of the Canada Ukraine Foundation and Ukrainian Canadian Congress at www.cufoundation.ca.

The centre is also accepting volunteers who can help out after normal office hours. More information can be found in a public spreadsheet.

UCCVI is also asking those with extra space in their homes who would like to share it with a Ukrainian refugee family to complete a form at this link.

Funds can be donated at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre at 3277 Douglas St., Victoria, in the form of cash, cheque, debit and credit, or donations by card can be made over the phone by calling 250-475-2585.

Ambulance for Ukraine

Ambulances and paramedics in Ukraine have recently been targets for Russian bombs and for fellow paramedics in Victoria, it’s been a difficult thing to watch.

“We saw images of ambulances being destroyed and specifically targeted and paramedics being targeted and killed and we saw an urgent request for ambulances went out and we felt the need to act,” said Andrew Mills, advanced care paramedic with BC Ambulance Service.

Mills and Melissa Sims are both advanced care paramedics in Victoria who started Paramedics4Paramedics which is raising money to buy ambulances for medics in Ukraine.

They’ve now raised about $90,000, enough to buy three used ambulances in Poland, and $25,000 worth of medical supplies.

Gabriola Island Gives Back

The community of Gabriola Island is banding together in an attempt to raise $10,000 for the people of Ukraine.

The event will be held Sat., May 7 at the Gabriola Community Hall to raise funds and will feature performances from The John Capon Trio, The Ecclestons and Snake Island Railroad.

Tickets are available at North Road Sports on Gabriola Island and costs $20-$50 on a pay-what-you-can basis.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m., with Ukrainian supper available for purchase.

Donations can also be made online to [email protected].

Concert for Ukraine by the Civic Orchestra of Victoria (May 28)

The Civic Orchestra of Victoria is holding a performance featuring time-honoured orchestral works by Elgar, Mozart, Copland and more.

On Saturday, May 28 at 2 p.m. at the Dave Dunnet Theatre in Oak Bay, the Civic Orchestra of Victoria presents a Celebration of Great Masterworks featuring time-honoured orchestral works from composers across the globe. The Orchestra welcomes guest conductor, Dr. Gerald King, to the podium for this program. Dr. King is internationally recognized as one of Canada’s most respected conductors, adjudicators, educators and keynote speakers, and the Orchestra is delighted to be making music under his direction.

$2 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal via the Canadian Red Cross.

Learn how to make Perogies for Ukraine (May 29)

‘Baba Bella’ will teach participants how to make traditional Ukrainian perogies from an 1863 recipe.

100 per cent of proceeds from the event will be donated to Ukraine relief. Tickets are $32.84.

Bella will also shares stories from her Ukrainian upbringing in the Canadian Prairies.

All funds raised will go to Soroptimist International – Europe division for their efforts in Ukraine Relief.

This is an online event. Buy tickets here.

Salvation Army Fundraiser

The Salvation Army has personnel and volunteers on the ground helping refugees in Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Poland and surrounding countries.

Donations made will help provide aid including food, temporary housing, clothing, hygiene kits, diapers, blankets, counselling and transportation for those who fled their homes with little to nothing.

Donations can be made on the Salvation Army’s website.

Perogies for a Cause

Colwood resident Lia Butler has raised more than $5,000 for her native Ukraine by selling perogies through her Facebook page.

The funds raised go to military aid as well as groceries and basic supplies for those in need.

To order, contact Butler on Facebook.

Meals for Abandoned Dogs — Animal Food Bank and PawSwap

PawSwap, an app that helps feed animals in need, has partnered with the Animal Food Bank to provide meals to dogs in Ukraine while also providing meals to dogs of RainCoast Rescue on Vancouver Island for the month of March.

The app is free to sign up for and allows users to donate meals by redeeming points earned by visiting dog-friendly businesses listed on the app. For every meal donated, PawSwap will donate a second meal to a dog in Ukraine.

Animal Food Bank says it hopes to donate 1,000 meals to Rain Coast Rescue and 1,000 meals to Ukraine.

More information can be found on the Animal Food Bank and PawSwap websites.

Know of a fundraiser for Ukraine that isn’t on the list? Email it to [email protected].

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