Check out this heartwarming welcome for a Ukrainian family

Ukrainian refugee Julia Makavchuk and her kids have only been in the country for a week but they’ve already experienced the generosity of one Kelowna family.

Kettle Valley residents Ryan Hosaki and his partner Kristen Bonnin, gave the new arrivals a huge welcome boost Friday... along with a hug or two. The locals handed over the keys and transfer papers for their used SUV, having been in touch with a local group that helps refugees.

“I’ve had this vehicle for almost eight years now and we had the opportunity to get a new one,” Hosaki told Kelowna10. “Instead of selling it we thought it would be better served giving it to someone who needs it."

He said more than the item itself, the gesture of welcoming newcomers to Canada and supporting them is very important.

“I couldn’t imagine what you’ve gone through in your life to get to this point in your life,” he told a beaming Makavchuk and her kids in his driveway. “It’s important that we’re fortunate enough to be able to help and we want you to feel welcome.”

Bonnin said in a world of often negative news it’s important the media covers good news stories like these and she felt grateful she was in a position to help and show her daughter, Kaia, what can be done to support others in need.

For Makavchuk, who comes from Ternopil in the west of the country, this is the first item of any kind she's acquired since her arrival in Canada and it's a crucial one.

“It was a big surprise that Kelowna Stands With Ukraine chose my family to receive the car from Ryan,” she said through the group’s Denys Storozhuk who translated. “It’s so exciting. The car will help tremendously to get the kids to school, for activities, and meet people.”

Makavchuk has an arts, teaching and psychology background.

Storozhuk hopes the generosity shown by Hosaki and Bonnin will inspire others to donate a vehicle they just don’t need anymore.

Meanwhile, Makavchuk and her kids Max and Diana, have every intention of giving back to the community. They’ve arrived in Kelowna with a large duffle bag full of new books and hope to open a kids library for Kelowna’s expanding Ukrainian population.