Ukrainian-Canadian B.C. church volunteers raise money for medical supplies, military gear - Action News
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British Columbia

Ukrainian-Canadian B.C. church volunteers raise money for medical supplies, military gear

Volunteers with a Ukrainian Catholic church in New Westminster are busy packing suitcasesfull of essential medical supplies and military gear to ship to regions near Ukraine.

The Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in New Westminster has raised more than $20K for supplies

The Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral is collecting donations to help those who have remained in Ukraine. (Janella Hamilton/CBC)

Volunteers with a Ukrainian Catholic church in New Westminster are busy packing suitcasesfull of essential medical supplies and military gearto ship to regions near Ukraine.

Rev. Mykhailo Ozorovychwiththe Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral said parishioners and people from across the province helped raised more than $23,000 to purchase medical supplies like first aid kitsand other essential goods.

"It is important to ship them immediately," Ozorovych told CBC News. "Suitcases of medical tourniquets and military medical equipment went to Frankfurt."

He said three suitcases with $17,000 worth of supplies including body armour, helmets and chemical protective clothing, which can help minimize the penetration of radioactive particles or liquids,were also sent to Vienna with a volunteer.

Father Mykhailo Ozorovych said three suitcases-full of $17,000 worth of supplies were shipped to regions near Ukraine. (Mykhailo Ozorovych/Submitted)

On Thursday, Russian troops skirmished with Ukrainian troops outside Europe's largest nuclear power plant, leaving the facility on fire and briefly raising worldwide fears of a catastrophe.

"It's important stuff that not easily accessible anymore in Poland or even Germany," Ozorovychsaid.

Medical supplies and military gear shipped to Europe on Wednesday. (Submitted by Mykhailo Orzorovyc)

Ukrainian chef raises money

Anastasia Avramenko, a chef in Port Coquitlam, has been spending days in her kitchen making Ukrainian meals to raise money for a neighbourhood bakery in herhometown of Kherson.

Anastasia Avramenko has cooked dozens of Ukrainian meals to raise money that will go to her hometown of Kherson, Ukraine. (Janella Hamilton/CBC)

"For eight days, my family has been hiding in underground garages and hoping for the best," she said. "They don't have food. They only have whatever water they have preserved. So it's very dangerous. It's very scary."

Avramenko, who immigrated to Canada in 2013, said she contacted the bakery in her hometownearlier this week and asked them what they need and how she can help.

"I can always donate just to my family. However, it's my hometown. It's my history," Avramenko said. "So it's very important for me to support my community and try to do anything to help them."

Anastasia Avramenko and her husband, centre, with family in Ukraine during her wedding in 2018. (Submitted by Anastasia Avramenko)

In addition to donations, Ozorovych says the churchis creating a database of services and volunteers who can help Ukrainian families fleeing the crisis.

"This is the beauty of human response to a horrific and heartbreaking situation."