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Ukrainian-Canadians in Nanaimo holding fundraiser to try to help however they can

Goods, food to be sold at BMX park and Sandy’s Ukrainian Kitchen on March 12
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Sandy Kosolowsky, left, Leanne Pacholok and Jeanne Rudy are among those organizing a fundraiser for Canadian Red Cross for the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. The fundraising events will happen Saturday, March 12, at Marie Davidson BMX Park and Sandy’s Ukrainian Kitchen. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Ukrainian-Canadians in Nanaimo will raise money this weekend to assist the nation as it holds off an invasion by Russia.

Vesna Ukrainian Dancers, Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Society of Nanaimo and Sandy’s Ukrainian Kitchen will sell raffle tickets, food, baked goods and other items at the Marie Davidson BMX Park and at Sandy’s Ukrainian Kitchen on Saturday, March 12.

Money will go to the Canadian Red Cross for the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

COVID-19 had led to the cancellation of Christmas and Easter bazaars, said Jeanne Rudy, cultural society secretary. The groups had been selling borscht through the dance group’s Facebook page and decided to give some money to the Ukrainian effort.

“It’s kind of turning into a mini-bazaar outside … the main thing we’re doing is borscht. We’re also doing baking and we have some novelties, Ukrainian socks and keychains. We’re doing a 50-50 draw. The proceeds of that will be going to the Red Cross for Ukraine.”

Sandy Kosolowsky, of Sandy’s Ukrainian Kitchen, said she is worried about her relatives in the Ukraine.

“I couldn’t believe it…” Kosolowsky said when asked about her thoughts about the invasion. “We’re still all so shocked that it’s actually happening.”

The Vesna Dancers and cultural society will hold their part of the fundraiser at the BMX track from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 12, while Sandy’s Ukrainian Kitchen fundraiser will go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We’re just hoping that little bit of money can go somewhere for some common good,” said Leanne Pacholok, Vesna artistic director. “Being the small group that we are here, we need to show that something’s being done … we figured money would be the best way.”

For more information, call Sandy’s Ukrainian Kitchen at 250-758-6677.

RELATED: B.C. group stands with Ukraine through paintings



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Karl Yu

About the Author: Karl Yu

After interning at Vancouver Metro free daily newspaper, I joined Black Press in 2010.
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