Local Man Holds Soccer Equipment Sale To Support Ukrainian Efforts

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It did not take long for Victor Waselenko to aid his home country of Ukraine as he is holding a one-day soccer equipment sale in support of the Red Cross for humanitarian efforts this Saturday.

Waselenko sent 1,300 medical kits earlier this month to his home country of Ukraine. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The cash-only sale is at Hybrid Sports at 1575 Chemong Rd. and runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Waselenko used to own the soccer apparel store “Soccer Plus” located at 139 George St N. — until closing in 2017 — where his leftover jerseys, apparel, footwear and equipment are sold at the one-day event at 50 per cent off.

All proceeds will go towards Ukrainian charity efforts according to Waselenko.

“My goal is to walk out of here with here with empty boxes," he said. "I would love nothing more than if we sold everything that was here but we have an aggressive goal of $10,000 that we'd like to raise."

After the sale, Waselenko says he wants to raise a total of $100,000 for the Red Cross with the help of the community.

Earlier this month, Waselenko and his family sent 1,300 medical kits to Ukraine with the help of Shoppers Drug Mart and from public donors. There were more than $50,000 in product that was shipped to Ukraine.

Waselenko is a first-generation Ukrainian after his parents moved to Canada shortly after World War II.

"They were still young and they met here (in Canada)," explained Waselenko. "But they left a lot of family members behind because not everybody immigrated."

Waselenko has had a love for soccer since he has played as a kid. He has coached for several teams including his daughters’.

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