Local establishments stepping up to help Ukraine

Frank Skolly, the vice president of the Legion says they hope to get out as many people as possible.

“We are going to have an open jam session. It’s donations only for entrance, so whatever you want to donate, we’ll have a barrel there for the money,” he said.

“We are going to have a Ukrainian dinner and we were hoping to get some of the Ukrainian dancers to come in and do a dance or two in costume.”

The dinner will feature perogies, cabbage rolls, sauerkraut and borsch just to name a few items.

Skolly says they have also invited Alina Ovsiy to speak at the Legion that evening. Ovsiy was the person who organized the Ukraine support rally at City Hall on March 1.

Skolly tells EverythingGP they decided to do this to help show their support for Ukrainians around the world right now.

“It is something that volunteers do and that assists others in need. There is a serious need here and we will be applying the funds to the Canadian-Ukrainian Foundation.”

The Lions Den Pub is also hosting a Ukrainian fundraising event.

Owner Todd Zahorodniuk says he was approached by a couple of people to host a fundraiser on Saturday night. As someone who is of Ukrainian descent, he absolutely wanted to do something to help lend a hand.

“A couple of local school teachers came in, they are Ukrainian and one of the girls has been in contact with a priest in Poland that is actually taking in refugees,” he explained.

“They worked out how they can get money transferred (to the priest) and asked me if they could have a fundraiser that night.”

The shelter receiving the funds is located in a place called Novyi Yarchiv.

“We are going to have dinner, a bunch of silent auction, and all that stuff, and all the proceeds are going to go the Ukrainian refugees in that certain area,” Zahorodniuk added.

The fundraiser is being held from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Saturday night. Tickets cost $50 and must be purchased in advance by calling or texting 780-617-0808 or by emailing gpforukraine@gmail.com.

Zahorodniuk says tickets are close to being sold out and added he’s not surprised to see this type of response in Grande Prairie.

“There’s a lot of Ukrainian people around here. It’s going to be a real good time and I’m looking forward to it. Get the money to the right place and that takes care of some of our homeland people.”

Ukrainian food will also be served at the Lions Den Pub throughout the fundraiser.

by Shane Clausing

Local establishments stepping up to help Ukraine

Pro Tips