The war in Ukraine is certainly on everyone’s mind as we watch coverage of the daily horrors taking place on the streets in real time. While we’re all disturbed watching these atrocities, those with Ukrainian roots are especially affected, and many grassroots fundraising efforts have begun by those in the Ukrainian-Canadian community.
Richard Halenda of Halenda’s Meats has been particularly motivated to find ways to help the war effort. “My wife’s family and my father were from Ukraine. Many of our staff here at Halenda’s have Ukrainian heritage. And we serve thousands of Ukrainian families because of the ethnic roots of what we make,” Halenda explains. When the fighting started, Halenda and his team felt strongly compelled to help.
Immediately, the stores and staff pooled their resources and raised $35,000 to help the people in Ukraine. But it didn’t stop there. All six Halenda’s Meats stores in the Greater Toronto Area and Oshawa/Durham region have created a program where customers can make cash donations in-store, and the money is sent to help those on the front lines of the Ukrainian resistance with humanitarian aid.
“We chose to support an organization called Friends of Ukrainian Defence Forces, or FUDF,” says Halenda. “There’s so much going on there that needs funding, but we felt that Ukraines survival depends on their defence forces being able to prolong the war until the Russian economy fully feels the effects of the sanctions the free world is imposing. The Ukrainian forces need supplies, everything from food to medical aid in the war zone. And that is where FUDF is funneling this money — straight to the front lines of defence.”
According to the FUDF website, donors to the Friends of Ukrainian Defence Forces Fund “have been assisting those serving in the armed forces as well as the casualties of war, displaced persons, families of those serving and children who have lost a parent due to war.” The fund, organized by the League of Ukrainian Canadians and the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, has raised more than $7 million to provide everything from defensive body armour, medical supplies and hygiene products, to non-perishable food and spiritual materials.
Those who come into Halenda’s and make a donation will also receive a blue and yellow ribbon to wear and show their support. “The Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada (Oshawa Branch) are making ribbons in the Ukrainian colours, blue and yellow. Anyone who donates is welcome to take a ribbon. Wearing the ribbon promotes awareness and shows support for Ukraine.”
Halenda explains that Ukrainian pride of country and heritage is a powerful force. For more than 1,000 years, Ukraine has been fighting for independence from its aggressors, primarily Russia, he says. “This has created a strong national feeling amongst Ukrainian people throughout Canada and democratic nations of the world. Many may not have visited the homeland of their parents but have strong connections with their Ukrainian roots.”
“I feel the freedom-loving democratic nations of the world must take a stand against the enemy and the war raging in Ukraine. Ukraine and ultimately all of Europe is at risk,” says Halenda. “For anyone here in Canada, we feel a bit helpless to support Ukraine during this time. But making a donation to a cause like this can hopefully make a really positive difference. At Halenda’s, we feel that supporting the resistance really seems to fit.”
