This is how Kelowna remains committed to Ukraine

Food and resilience: Community keep standing with those in need

Amid the ongoing conflict and instability in Ukraine, Kelowna Stands With Ukraine (KSWU) remains committed to supporting the people affected by the Russian invasion.

KSWU hosted their second Ukrainian buffet that sold out. It raised funds to support medics fighting in Ukraine, schools and hospitals in need of generators, and Ukrainian refugees in the Okanagan. Also, the event saw a family receive a donation of a car donated by local residents.

KSWU President Denys Storozhuk, emphasized the importance of keeping fundraising efforts in the forefront of people's minds.

“Well, that's the reason we organize events like that. When people hear Ukrainian food, they come,” he said. “That's a way for us to attract people to our event and then try to remind them and explain what we're doing and so on. The more money we raise, the more we’re able to help.”

Storozhuk expressed hope the war in Ukraine would soon reach a turning point, with heavy equipment like tanks arriving to bolster the Ukrainian army's expected counter-offensive.

“Obviously we all hope and pray that it will be strong enough for Russian army to collapse and withdraw back to Russia… and then we can do peace talks as soon as all Ukraine territory is liberated,” he explained. “But we can only pray for that. And that's all Ukrainians are talking about right now.”

The fundraising evening featured traditional Ukrainian cuisine prepared by five Ukrainian chefs who came to Kelowna during the war, as well as entertainment, and Ukrainian items for auction.

Among the attendees was Tetiana Hrytsenko, a Ukrainian artist who drove over 1,200 km from Saskatoon to participate in the event. Hrytsenko shared her personal experience of the conflict, highlighting the ongoing danger in her hometown of Kherson.

“My city is very famous right now because it was the first city which was taken by Russians, and it was under occupation for nine months,” she explained. “Then the Ukrainian army took it back, which is good, but Russia started to bomb it everyday now. And it's a really, unsafe place right now.”

She expressed the gratitude of the work that’s being done by KSWU and all those who came to support the cause.

“I was in Kelowna last week and we met with Denys and on my last day here, he invited me to participate in this event and I just did it,” Hrytsenko said. “It’s just amazing work [that’s being done here] and I'm appreciative for all people who came here to help the people.”