An East Kootenay organization that has been supporting Ukrainians displaced by the Russian military invasion is wrapping up a fundraising agreement with a local non-profit.
The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) is planning to end its agency agreement with the Shelter for Ukrainians Society (SFUS) effective Nov. 2, 2024.
The CFKR and and the SFUS are winding up the project and no longer seeking donations, as the Government of Canada's Ukraine-specific refugee program has ended. Moving forward, charitable donations may be directed to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation: https://www.cufoundation.ca/.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago resulted in a flood of refugees from Ukraine who were seeking a safe haven in countries around the world, including Canada. In response, a group of Cranbrook residents took action by organizing a board of directors and registering the Shelter for Ukrainians Society as a BC non-profit society.
Two months after the invasion, the CFKR entered into an agency agreement with SFUS to provide funding support for displaced Ukrainians re-settling temporarily or permanently in Cranbrook and the East Kootenay with shelter costs, supplies and support services.
As per the agreement, CFKR accepted charitable donations for this project, provided tax receipts to donors, and stewarded the donated funds.
“The support from the community has been truly heartwarming, including individual, corporate, and non-profit donors, other community groups and services, and, of course, the dedicated board and volunteers of the Shelter for Ukrainians Society,” said Lynnette Wray, CFKR Executive Director.
Since its inception, the Society has supported 106 Ukrainians, including 34 children, who relocated to the Southeast Kootenay, settling in various communities such as Sparwood, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Creston, Invermere, and Radium Hot Springs.
Many individuals and families have settled permanently in the region; some people have chosen to move elsewhere to other areas of Canada or the U.S.A. to pursue work, while others decided to return home to Ukraine.
As per the agency agreement with CFKR, SFUS distributed donated funds to the Ukrainian families and individuals to reimburse the costs of air travel to Canada and to support their purchases of clothing, household items, school supplies, food, and furniture.
“We are incredibly thankful for the generous community support from schools, businesses, churches, medical and dental services, local government, and individuals, not to mention the over sixty individuals who volunteered to assist with housing, transportation, English language classes, finding employment, learning how to access services, and childcare," said Bonnie Spence-Vinge, SFUS President.
Along with other activities, SFUS organized regular vigils to raise awareness and regularly provided information about SFUS events to celebrate Ukrainian culture. SFUS also participated in media interviews and published newspaper articles to update the local community on the progress of the families and the work of SFUS.
SFUS will be donating any remaining items to the Cranbrook Salvation Army Thrift Store, which supported families and individuals with household items at no cost. Any remaining funds will be donated to the Cranbrook Food Bank in recognition of its generous support of the Ukrainian families.
