Please listen to the audio recording at the bottom of this article as Julia Krykavska shares more about their relief efforts, and concerns for family and friends in Ukraine. 

 

The local chapter of the Ukrainian-Canadian Tryzub Association (UCA “Tryzub”) has been raising funds for the relief effort in Ukraine at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon this week. 

Local UCA Tryzub Member, Julia Krykavska, says it has been very difficult watching what is happening in her mother-country, Ukraine, as the war continues now into its second month. 

AS the situation worsens, Krykavska, says their volunteers in Ukraine are able to provide humanitarian aid where other organizations may not. 

“Raising money to help those in Ukraine is so very important,” she says. “Manitoba donations to organizations like our organization is critically important because all of the movements and logistics back home in Ukraine are set up only by volunteers. With some major global organizations, they do have their own protocols to follow and at this point can’t access Ukraine and cannot deliver their humanitarian acts.” 

“Groups like ours, volunteers from all over the world, we are collecting money and are sending the money back home to trustworthy volunteers we know personally,” explains Krykavska.  

“Those volunteers have logistics set up in Ukraine and they have [supplies] moving into the different regions, delivering medical, tactical and military aid over to the areas in the most critical situations right now.” 

Westman has been a huge support for the UCA Tryzub since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th. Krykavska, who’s lived in the City of Brandon for over a dozen years, says there are many individuals and groups who are heading up their own fund-raising efforts to further the cause to support Ukraine. 

This past weekend, a fundraising social was held Saturday night at the Victoria Inn, with all proceeds going to relief efforts in Ukraine. 

“This very nice English family organized the social on their own, they came together to organize this great event,” explains Krykavska. “It was a great night! All the money raised will be sent over to our trustworthy volunteers over in Ukraine.” 

“We are very fortunate to live in such a great community here in Brandon, and here in Manitoba,” she shares. “There are so many nice people with open hearts and everyone is asking how they can help, where they can donate. If it’s $1.50 or $100, it doesn’t matter. Each penny is counted, because even $1.00 can save someone’s life if it’s spent together as a group.”  

The Ukrainian-Canadian Tryzub booth at the Keystone Centre is easy to find this week during the Winter Fair with the waving of the blue and yellow! Ukraine flags, souvenirs, fresh baked goods and clothing can be purchased. “The Provincial Exhibition was very nice, offering us this opportunity as a donation. Yes, even most of the souvenirs we have, have been donated by the community!” 

“We are so very fortunate and very thankful to everyone who is donating,” Krykavska adds. “The support we’ve been getting is incredible.” 

Visit the Ukrainian-Canadian Tryzub Association booth at the Keystone Centre this week during the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, from 10am to 7pm. 

Visit their Facebook page for more information: Ukrainian-Canadian Association "Tryzub" | Facebook 

Please listen to the following audio recording of Julia Krykavska: