Firefighter Aid Ukraine (FAU) was established almost 10 years ago after Edmonton Firefighter and founder, Kevin Royle visited Ukraine on a Rotary Group study exchange focused on emergency services. As of October 1, 2022, FAU has delivered over 200 tons of aid to Ukraine consisting of firefighter and first responder personal protective equipment, specialty rescue tools, first aid supplies, hospital…

Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (Edmonton Branch) is a local voluntary organization helping local Ukrainians. On February 24, 2022  their work took on an international focus, and a role above and beyond their mandate. “As president of UCSS since September 21, 2020, I feel very blessed that many volunteers, service clubs, churches, businesses, Ukrainian community organizations and the broader non-Ukrainian community…

Not only is Orysia Boychuk a visionary leader who started mobilizing Alberta’s Ukrainian community; she quickly formed networks with many organizations and settlement agencies that would help those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Many evacuees fled without resources, contacts in Edmonton, or the ability to converse in English. In her role as president of an umbrella organization, she utilized networks…

The Ed Stelmach Community Foundation was formed in 2007 to support smaller and highly motivated charities across Alberta that foster programs with a focus on family values. The mandate of the charity fit in well with the need for humanitarian aid for Ukraine, especially women and children that were left homeless after the invasion. Following discussions with Thomas Lukaszuk, the…

“[I was] watching the news and seeing the atrocities that are being inflicted on Ukrainian people by Russia made me realize that there must be something that we can possibly do from here.” – CTV interview with Lukaszuk, March 2022 It started with a late-night call to Ed Stelmach and resulted in more than $35,000,000 in humanitarian aid; the largest…

As president of the Canadian Polish Historical Society, Helen Facsko was honoured to participate in Ed Stelmach and Thomas Lukaszuk’s ”United For Ukraine” initiative. Helen coordinated volunteers for collecting, sorting and packing of thousands of boxes of medical equipment, food, clothing, medications and other humanitarian aid products. She also provided volunteers with meals and other support. It continues to be Helen’s role to welcome…

Over the last 7 months, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress has pushed for sanctions against Russia and helped establish a VISA program to allow Ukrainian Nationals to come to Canada for the next 3 years. UCC has worked with Government to establish federal funding for the Displaced Ukrainians and continues to push for increased assistance for Nationals and for increased sanctions…

Ivan Lypovyk, President of the Ukrainian National Federation Edmonton Branch led the organization of the Airport Welcome Booth for newcomers. From March to June 2022, 892 shifts were filled with volunteers, accounting for over 5000 hours. In addition, more than $30,000 was raised and donated to support Ukraine. The Ukrainian National Federation and Ukrainian Women’s Organization would like to sincerely…

Liubov Alkonova is a representative from Mill Creek Christian Assembly (MCCA) Help Center for Ukrainian Newcomers. The center is a nonprofit organization solely reliant on volunteers, donors, and those that love and are willing to help others in need. When the war broke out in Ukraine, with permission and support of their pastor, Rev.Yaroslav Kurpita, they opened a center in…

Alla Nedashkivska has long been a strong advocate of all things Ukrainian at the Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies (MLCS) at the University of Alberta (UofA). Thus well placed, she hit the ground running when war broke out. Partnering with the Department of Music (specifically William Street, Chair, and Andriy Talpash, Lecturer), Alla was MLCS lead in organizing…