Ukrainian civilians are enduring hardships on many fronts during this second winter of occupation. With a goal of raising $10,000, the Rotary Club of Christina Lake, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Grand Forks, will host a peace vigil and fundraising effort on March 26, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the Christina Lake Welcome Centre. Pierogi and beverages will be served for donations; there will be an art contest for all ages; and Christina Lake Rotary Club member Geoffrey Glenn will report live from Dubno, Ukraine on Rotary’s humanitarian relief efforts.
“The sacrifices and unwavering commitment by the Ukrainian people to save their country is both inspiring and heart wrenching. We are grateful for the support of Rotary to provide humanitarian relief to the community and displaced persons,” said Geoffrey Glenn, a returned Peace Corps Volunteer who recently relocated to Ukraine to provide support following the invasion and occupation.
Where funds are needed most
Civilian infrastructure has been targeted by Russian forces, disrupting food supply chains, energy distribution, and access to clean water. Internally displaced persons fleeing the violence in eastern Ukraine have overwhelmed the resources of small towns in western Ukraine. Hospitals and schools have been destroyed or severely damaged. Children and adults are suffering from the psychological impacts of the war.
The Rotary Club of Christina Lake appealed to Rotary District 5080, serving southeastern British Columbia and the inland northwest United States (eastern Washington, north Idaho), to access a Rotary Foundation disaster recovery grant in the amount of $25,000 USD. The Rotary District successfully obtained the grant, and Geoffrey Glenn later partnered with the members of the Rotary Club of Dubno, Ukraine to distribute food and medical supplies to impacted communities in western Ukraine.
Funds raised from the March 26 event will support broader relief efforts coordinated in partnership with Ednannia, a charitable organization that provides grants for small non-governmental organizations (nonprofits) with the purpose of supporting community development and civic engagement. Ednannia has a 24-year history in Ukraine and is recognized by the World Bank, USAID, and the Charles Mott Foundation for their work and leadership in Ukraine. In the past year, Ednannia grants have provided generators to schools, hospitals, farms, and other facilities serving the civilian population; has provided psychological support services; delivered food aid; restored damaged schools, hospitals, and other public buildings, and provided essential skills training to ensure food security, among many other humanitarian relief efforts.
Donations can be made by e-transfer to christinalakerotary@gmail.com.
For information, please contact:
Christina Lake Rotary Club President Doreen Fox Kelsey
250-442-7695
Geoffrey D. Glenn
geoffrey.d.glenn@gmail.com (he requests that you flag as high importance due to the high volume of email he receives)
For more information on Christina Lake Rotary
Website: www.christinalakerotary.ca