Community comes together to provide refuge from ongoing war.
Kenora Supports Ukraine (KSU) would like to thank the generous people and businesses of the Kenora area for their support in recent months. The seven women KSU has been supporting from Ukraine have found the community to be welcoming and generous. These women have been motivated to study and to find employment to support themselves here, as well as their families in Ukraine and those family members seeking refuge in Poland.
The KSU process in selecting individuals to come to Kenora was initiated by Olena Moncrief, with guidance from the KSU Coordinating Committee. When the war started on February 24, 2022, Olena spent many hours interviewing and selecting suitable candidates with Ukrainian passports and assisted them with necessary paperwork to come to Canada. From the onset, KSU respected policies of Ukraine regarding able bodied men ages 18-60 to remain in their country as they were needed in the war effort.
The KSU Coordinating Committee continues to meet on a regular basis. To date, funds have been allocated to helping the seven women currently living in the community; along with a woman and her two children who have now safely returned home.
Presently, KSU’s focus is to work alongside community members to provide ongoing support to these newcomers as they navigate their new lives in Canada. It has been a pleasure to witness their resilience. They have enriched our group and our community in countless ways. We look forward to next steps, whatever they may be!
From left to right: Julia and Mariia (newcomers), Marilyn & Ed Zroback (hosts), Myroslava and Lexie (newcomers) – attending the recent Malanka (Ukrainian New Year’s) celebration hosted by the Ukrainian Hall in support of KSU.
Notes: KSU’s mission is to assist Ukrainian refugees settling and transitioning in Kenora. For more information, please visit www.kenorasupports.com. The Coordinating Committee can be contacted at [email protected]. Media enquires can be directed to Nathan Moncrief at (204) 807-0404. General enquires can be directed to Darlene Hiebert at (431) 337-4304.
KSU Achieves Early Goals with Community Assistance
Fundraising target surpassed and first six Ukrainian newcomers have arrived.
Kenora Supports Ukraine (“KSU”) is grateful for the broad community support that has enabled it to bring its first six Ukrainian newcomers. The group has now surpassed its initial $75,000 fundraising target.
KSU has been supported by several local families in hosting and assisting the newcomers. The Holovachuk family that was previously announced as recipients have now arrived and are living with the Bracken family.
From left to right: Ken Bracken, Tolik & Kamila Holovachuk, Brady Bracken, Olena Holovachuk, and Laurie Bracken – upon arrival at the Bracken’s residence.
Other recent KSU recipients include Mariia Plytka (hosted by Ed & Marilyn Zroback), and Iryna Futuluichuk (hosted by Barry & Wendy Marmus).
The newcomers are adapting well to their new lives. Mariia is thriving with her full-time role at Copperfin Credit Union. Led by Joel McGrath and the Kenora Multicultural Association, English as a Second Language (ESL) education is being provided to everyone. The Holovachuk twins are preparing for high school next month.
KSU would like to thank all the local individuals, businesses, and service providers that have arranged for a variety of initiatives. Most recently, The Standard put on a charity BBQ which raised over $4,000. In addition to this, The Standard has been collecting bi-weekly donations from Kenora staff and have raised money through t-shirt sales.
From left to right: KSU Members Darlene Hiebert, Olena Moncrief, Joel McGrath, Nathan Moncrief, Matthew Schottroff (The Standard), and Peter Kirby. The Standard raised over $4,000 through its annual charity BBQ.
On Friday, September 16th, St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church is putting on its annual church supper. Come out and enjoy a traditional Ukrainian meal, meet our newcomers and help raise money for KSU. Tickets are $25. Those interested are to call Ami (407-0397); Nick (468-7634); Elsie (468-6636); or Jim (407-5565).
KSU has received calls for assistance from many others. With your continued support we will continue to bring Ukrainians fleeing the war to Kenora. Donors will receive charitable tax receipts for donations over $20. There are three ways to give:
-Please select “Kenora Supports Ukraine” from the dropdown menu.
2) Cheque (by Mail / Dropoff / Pickup):
-Cheques are to be made out to “St. Alban’s Cathedral”.
-Please put “Kenora Supports Ukraine” in the memo line.
-Cheques can be dropped off in a secure mailbox at St. Alban’s; mailed to the KSU address; or picked up by a committee member.
3) The Kenora and Lake of the Woods Community Foundation:
KLWCF has also stepped in to provide another option for receiving funds. You can donate by going to www.klwcf.ca, click on the DONATE TODAY! button and choose the “Kenora Supports Ukraine Flow-Through Fund”.
Links to recent press coverage for more information:
KSU’s mission is to assist Ukrainian refugees settling and transitioning in Kenora. For more information, please visit www.kenorasupports.com. The Coordinating Committee can be contacted at [email protected]. Media enquires can be directed to Nathan Moncrief at (204) 807-0404. General enquires can be directed to Darlene Hiebert at (431) 337-4304.
Additional photos are included below:
Marilyn Zroback (host) with Mariia Plytka (newcomer) at the Standard Charity BBQ in support of KSU.Left to right: Sean Hughes (The Standard), Ruby & Oliver Crowe Limerick, Gord McCool (The Standard). With friends (Fergus and William), Ruby and Oliver ran a lemonade stand which raised $400.Newcomer Iryna Futuluichuk with her comforter made by the Kenora quilters “Hearts of Knox”. The group has generously made these for all KSU recipients.From left to right: Olena, Tolik, and Kamila Holovachuk – at the Bracken’s residence.Tolik Holovachuk receiving a donated bike from Dr. Vern Sawatzky with assistance from The Hardwear Company.
Fundraising Campaign Takes Flight as First Refugee Family is Chosen
Generous donation brings in one third of initial $75,000 fundraising goal.
Kenora Supports Ukraine (“KSU”) has set an ambitious $75,000 fundraising target to help those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Kickstarted with a $25,000 donation from Forest Helicopters Inc. (pictured), KSU is providing practical help and financial assistance to refugees resettling or transitioning in Kenora.
From left to right: Bart & Linda Stevenson, Amy DePasquale.
KSU has selected the first refugees to be welcomed in Kenora. The Holovachuk family (pictured) was forced to leave their home near Bucha during the first hours of the Russian invasion. The Bucha region was especially hard-hit, and the family has since stayed in western Ukraine. KSU is assisting three of them with the permit application process and anticipates an arrival date of early June.
From left to right: Tolik Jr., Tolik Sr., Olena and Kamila Holovachuk.
Tolik Sr. will depart to eastern Ukraine to support the war effort as his wife and twin children live and work in Kenora. Local residents Ken & Laurie Bracken will be opening their home to the Holovachuk family during this uncertain time.
“We are very excited to welcome Olena, Tolik, and Kamila to our home. We are grateful to be a part of this Ukrainian family’s future in Canada, and hope they feel comfortable and safe in their new community” exclaim the Bracken’s.
Kenora residents and businesses can help the Holovachuk’s and others in need right now! Donors of KSU’s campaign will receive charitable receipts from St. Alban’s Cathedral for those in excess of $20. Currently, there are two options to donate:
Online via Credit Card or PayPal: – Go to www.canadahelps.org – Please select “Kenora Supports Ukraine” from the dropdown menu.
Cheque (by Mail / Dropoff / Pickup): – Cheques are to be made out to “St. Alban’s Cathedral”. – Please put “Kenora Supports Ukraine” in the memo line. – Cheques can be dropped off in a secure mailbox at St. Alban’s; mailed to the KSU address; or picked up by a committee member.
Notes:
KSU’s mission is to assist Ukrainian refugees settling and transitioning in Kenora. For more information, please visit www.kenorasupports.com. The Coordinating Committee can be contacted at [email protected]. Media enquires can be directed to Nathan Moncrief at (204) 807-0404. General enquires can be directed to Darlene Hiebert at (431) 337-4304.
Dozens of Kenora residents take on challenge to help those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
A Kenora-based organization has been formed and the process is underway to support Ukraine and its refugees. Kenora Supports Ukraine (“KSU”) is encouraging local community members and businesses to lend a hand.
Co-chaired by Peter Kirby and Nathan Moncrief, KSU has been in contact with several Ukrainian individuals and families seeking assistance. Ukrainians fleeing the war can apply to live and work in Canada for up to three years. KSU seeks to provide practical help and financial assistance to those resettling or transitioning in Kenora while they rebuild their lives.
KSU has formed committees to oversee efforts in fundraising, support/settlement, healthcare, employment, education, and housing. Those interested in helping are encouraged to contact the Coordinating Committee at [email protected].
St. Alban’s Cathedral has agreed to accept donations and will issue charitable receipts for those in excess of $20. Donations by way of cheques can be made out to St. Alban’s Cathedral, with Kenora Supports Ukraine in the memo line. A website and an online portal to accept donations will be forthcoming.
Notes:
KSU’s mission is to assist Ukrainian refugees settling and transitioning in Kenora. For more information, please visit www.kenorasupports.com. The Coordinating Committee can be contacted at [email protected]. Media enquires can be directed to Nathan Moncrief at (204) 807-0404. General enquires can be directed to Darlene Hiebert at (431) 337-4304.
