A Ukrainian convoy started in 琉璃神社 and made its way to Vernon on March 12, in order to raise money for the people of Ukraine in their war with Russia.
Denys Storozhuk is a 琉璃神社 resident from Kyiv and is one of the leaders of the convoy, along with Shimon Gelblum and Daniel Sora. They are organizing direct support for Ukraine fighting against Russian aggression. There is also a Facebook group they created called 鈥樍鹆裆� Stands with Ukraine鈥�.
鈥淢y whole family was able to leave to Poland,鈥� said Storozhuk. 鈥淓veryone else I know is fighting. They went to the territorial defense units and they鈥檙e supplying them.鈥�
Storozhuk added he鈥檚 been able to keep in touch with his friends who are fighting every day.
convoy leaves to head to at 2:15 this afternoon
鈥� Jordy Cunningham (@CunninghamJordy)
Around 30 people showed up at 琉璃神社 City Hall at 2 p.m., with about 20 people in seven cars making their way to Vernon.
The convoy arrived at Vernon鈥檚 Polson Park around 3 p.m. There, Storozhuk took the microphone to inform the crowd of about 50 people about the latest events in Ukraine, and what folks in the area can do to help.
Among those in the crowd were North Okanagan-Shuswap MP Mel Arnold and City of Vernon Councillors Akbal Mund and Teresa Durning.
A rally in support of Ukraine travelled from 琉璃神社 to Vernon鈥檚 Polson Park, where about 50 people including NOK-Shuswap MP Mel Arnold gathered Saturday.
鈥� Brendan Shykora (@brendanshykora)
Vernon resident Donia Strand has been a friend of Storozhuk for 20 years. She helped organize the Vernon portion of the rally.
She says helping Ukrainians survive the Russian invasion is the first priority for the group, and while the crisis may feel far away from home for Canadians, she reminds that Canada and Russia are neighbours in the north.
鈥淲e鈥檝e found that Russia has put men and women back into the bases along the arctic. I think we have to be cognizant that we also share a border with Russia,鈥� she said.
The will of Ukrainians with their nation under threat has inspired onlookers around the world, and Strand says it starts at the top with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
鈥淭hey are comparing him to Churchill right now, and I believe that he has rallied the world. I don鈥檛 think they would have gotten so many Western sanctions and such without such a strong leader,鈥� she said.
Citizens who want to support and help can get Ukraine stickers for a minimum donation of $40.
READ MORE: 琉璃神社 businesses stand with Ukraine
READ MORE: Diverse cultures come together to support Ukraine in 琉璃神社
jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
