East City Flower Shop Sunflowers For Ukraine Fundraiser Is Blooming

Since East City Flower Shop began their sunflower fundraiser for Ukraine on Thursday, owner Janet McLeod says she has sold close to 500 flowers.

The sunflower is Ukraine's national flower and has been grown on its central and eastern steppes since the middle of the 18th century. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

When news broke about Russia invading Ukraine on Feb. 24, McLeod knew she wanted to do something to help, she just wasn’t sure what.

As a member of the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha and an avid fundraiser for multiple charities, when one of her flower suppliers, Bell Floral in Bowmanville, sent an email saying all proceeds from sunflower orders would be donated to the Red Cross McLeod knew what to do.

“I thought ‘this is perfect’ I purchased sunflowers from that supplier and put it out there that we were donating all the proceeds from our sales to Ukrainian Relief,” said McLeod. “It’s taken off from there. I am really humbled by the response of people who have also been looking for a way to help.”

McLeod notes that some people buying sunflowers are of Ukrainian descent and are heartbroken for their country, some are watching the news and don’t know how to help and some just know it’s the right thing to do.

“I had one gentleman come in, give me money and say ‘just pay it foreword, give the flowers to someone who might want them’. It’s so Peterborough.”

Sunflowers at East City Flower Shop are $5 per stem, with all proceeds going to Ukrainian Relief Efforts.

McLeod notes to ensure she has enough flowers, customers should pre-order by calling the shop at (705) 742-1617.

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Fleming College Offers Support to Ukraine By Selling Medical Kits

Fleming College is selling medical kit packages throughout Peterborough and the Kawarthas in support of Ukraine beginning this Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The first event is at all Peterborough Shoppers Drug Mart stores where customers can purchase a medical supply kit for $10 (retail value worth $40) to send to Ukraine. The College has a goal of at least 500 packages to send overseas.

The College has issued a statement regarding the situation in Ukraine:

“So many of us are concerned and unnerved by the events currently unfolding in Ukraine. Canada is home to the second-largest Ukrainian population in the world outside of Ukraine itself and there is no doubt that this would include many of our fellow colleagues, friends, neighbours and students. The struggles faced by the Ukrainian community are certainly difficult to comprehend, as people worry for the safety and well-being of their loved ones back home. We join the international community in denouncing this hostile and illegal invasion of a sovereign country.”

Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

Fleming has given a list of places you can donate to online in case you cannot visit a local Shoppers Drug Mart:

• Canadian Red Cross: Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal

• Canada-Ukraine Foundation: Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

• UNICEF: Emergency Response to Conflict in Eastern Ukraine

• United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR): Ukraine Emergency

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Uride Donating All of Thursday's Profits For Ukrainian Efforts

Rideshare company Uride is donating all profits to support the people of Ukraine from all of Thursday’s fares.

Photo courtesy of Uride.

“What is happening in Ukraine is devastating, and we want to support people that have been forcibly displaced from their homes, their lives, and their families in any way we can,” said Cody Ruberto, Uride’s CEO. “This Thursday, March 10th, we are donating all profits to support Canada Ukraine Foundation and their work in Ukraine. ”

Passengers can support the cause by using Uride’s services. The rideshare company encourages those who cannot ride to look for other ways to support Ukraine.

The Uride app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Donations can be made directly by clicking here.

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Little Britain Man To Join Ukrainian Soldiers On The Front Lines

Zach England, a Little Britain resident, is heading to the frontlines of Ukraine on Monday to join the International Legion of Territorial Defence, and help defend Ukraine against Russian invasion.

Before leaving, Zach visited friends in Edmonton to pick up some gear. Here he poses with Bohdan Dan Marfei, a Ukrainian community organizer. Photo courtesy of Mike Thomas.

The International Legion of Territorial Defence was introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on March 1. Visa requirements have been temporarily lifted for foreign volunteers who wish to enter the country to join the fight against Russian forces.

“I’ve been watching it on the news and the government can’t get involved, so the people are getting involved - you know?,” said England. “It just doesn’t make any sense, why can’t anything be done? If there’s children over there fighting I’ll gladly take one of their places.”

England, who lives in Kawartha lakes but works as a pipeliner in the Edmonton area, previously worked as a firefighter in western provinces and hopes his medical training will be helpful in Ukraine.

“I’ve done forest firefighting, oil field firefighting, natural disaster response - I’ve survived things I shouldn’t have survived countless times,” he said. “You learn how to control your fears. I am nervous absolutely I’m going to an active combat zone, it’s normal to be nervous.”

Before leaving on Monday, England picked up supplies like a bulletproof vest, ammunition holster, medic kits and army helmet. In hit kit he also included a box of tampons, which he says work well for plugging bullet wounds before bandaging.

England leaves on his journey on Monday, flying from Edmonton to Toronto, then to Warsaw, Poland where he will meet volunteers from America, Ireland, Scotland and England.

“We all have similar views, we’ll help the people as much as we can, we’ll be smart and pick our fights.”

He has been in contact with the Ukrainian Embassy in Ottawa, filled out the paperwork, and meets the requirement of having some sort of medical, police or military background. He does not know what he will be doing when he arrives.

Englands Facebook post before he heads to the front lines. He writes ‘Ready to go plus a gift for the boyz. Slava ukraine."‘ Photo courtesy of Zach England.

England leaves behind his nine year old daughter, who he says understands only some of what her father will be doing while away.

“I don’t think she quite understands what war is and I don’t want her to know everything, if she think I’m just over there helping people that’s fine.”

He says in a way what he is doing is for his daughter, or rather for young people just like her.

“I told her I’m going to help little girls just like you.”

England has no family or friends in Ukraine and no Ukrainian heritage. He doesn’t know when he will return, but says as of now he should have access to WIFI and cell service to keep in touch with home.

While England did acquire some of his equipment in Canada he is welcoming donations so he can purchase much needed equipment and medical supplies when he lands in Poland. Those interested in doing so can send donations to his online fundraiser, or e-transfer him directly at englandzach32@gmail.com.

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New Canadians Centre Continue To Monitor Ukraine Crisis And Potential Refugees Says Peterborough Residents Are Already Offering To Help

The New Canadians Centre (NCC) is monitoring the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, and ready to accept refugees when Canada announces initiatives.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Kaczmarczyk says the Canadian government is currently focusing more on getting Ukrainians to Canada on a temporary, short-term basis.

According to a government press release, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has created the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, available to individuals fleeing Ukraine. There will be no limit to the number of Ukrainians who can apply. This is the fastest, safest, and most efficient way for Ukrainians to come to Canada and eliminates many of the normal visa requirements, according to the release.

“For us, our staff will likely help local folks who maybe have family members in Ukraine navigate those applications,” said Marisa Kaczmarczyk, director of client services at the NCC Peterborough agency. “Some of these applications can be confusing, they may need someone to hep them walk through the process.”

Currently, Canada is focusing on Ukrainians already located in Canada. For example, Kaczmarczyk says an international student that may have to return to Ukraine soon because of a soon-to-be expired visa will be given the opportunity to stay past the expiration of their visa.

Kaczmarczyk says the NCC is already getting phone calls from Peterborough residents wondering what they can do to help.

“People have offered their time, spaces in their house, they’re ready to house a refugee,” she says. “At the moment because there isn’t a refugee program there is not a need for that - yet.”

She says anyone that calls is being put on a list and will be contacted when applicable.

The NCC is also directing people to established organizations that are accepting donations and providing help directly on the ground in Ukraine.

Donations directed to the Red Cross will be matched by the Canadian government until March 18. The NCC also suggests donating to UNICEF, which is helping children affected.

NCC continues to support refugees from around the world and have an ongoing need for refugee support team members. Those interested in helping can sign up here.

The crisis in Ukraine is ongoing, and ever changing. The NCC will continue to update the public as new information arises.

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Ukrainian Couple Living In Peterborough Voice Their Concern And Their Hope Amid Russian Invasion

Aleks and Iryna Goloborodko left Ukraine and made a new life in Peterborough in 2014, when Russia invaded and subsequently annexed their hometown of Crimea.

Aleks and Iryna came to Peterborough to join their son, who was attending Trent University at the time.

“We love Peterborough so much, it’s mine. It’s my home town,” said Aleks. “It’s a small town with very friendly people. All my life I haven’t liked big cities, they’re too noisy, too fast. Now my heart is here in Peterborough. I thank god he sent us here.”

Now living in Canada, watching the news and hearing stories from friends and family still in Ukraine, the couples hearts are breaking for their home country.

“Half of our hearts are here in Canada with our son and the second half of our hearts are in Ukraine, with our daughters family,” said Iryna. “It is so hard, but even being here in Canada we are still so close to our Ukraine.”

The Goloborodko’s son works at Peterborough Regional Health Centre but their daughter and her family still live in Ukraine.

While naturally they worry for the safety of their daughter, grandchildren and friends in Ukraine, they are both hopeful and confident that the citizens of Ukraine will continue to resist against Russian occupiers.

“We are very worried with what we’re seeing in Ukraine, because it’s the same thing we were seeing in Crimea 2014,” said Aleks. “But now it’s real war. This Russian attack, it’s something we thought would never happen. Never, ever. The Russian and Ukrainian people were so close.”

During their time in the PTBOCanada studio ‘Glory to Ukraine’ was repeated too many times to count as they voiced their admiration for the Ukrainian people.

“Regular people in Ukraine are ready to fight for their freedom, I am sure of that,” said Iryna. “Nobody called the Russian military to Ukraine, they came to our land. Ukrainians will never stop fighting. Ukraine is an independent country, we will never live in one country with Russia.”

“I am so proud of the Ukrainian army. To fight against this monster- they are heroes,” said Aleks. “Glory to Ukraine.”

They note that as soon as the ongoing conflict is resolved, any one that can should travel to their beautiful home country.

“After we win, you have to go,” said Aleks.

“Oh it was so beautiful,” said Iryna. “Now so much of our beautiful architecture has been bombed.”

Aleks, Iryna and their son who attended Trent University. Photo courtesy of Aleks Goloborodko.

Though they are now settled in Peterborough, the two reflect on being a refugee to the city, and note that they are ready to help any refugees that may come now because of the ongoing crisis.

While living in Ukraine Aleks owned a real estate and notary agency and Iryna was a lawyer working as a law professor.

Now, Aleks drives a truck for a living and is an artist. Iryna has completed her para-legal studies at Fleming College and hopes to find a job in the city.

The couple says Peterborough has welcomed them, and continue to show support now.

“We are so grateful to our church family,” said Iryna. “They’ve offered to help the people of Ukraine, and our family. We thank all of Canada - they’ve been so supportive.”

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Peterborough City Hall Lit Blue and Yellow In Support of Ukraine

On a display of solidarity and support to Ukraine in their conflict with Russia, Peterborough City Hall has been lit in blue and yellow that started Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The lights are lit from March 1 to 7.

Before the playing of the Canadian national anthem at Monday’s virtual City Council meeting, 30 seconds of silent reflection were taken.

Several council members dressed their virtual background in the Ukrainian flag at the meeting.

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