The fundraiser at the Saint George Ukrainian Catholic Church was raising funds for a children's hospital in Kyiv that was bombed

By Tommy Osborne

Ukrainian Fundraiser

Prince George fundraiser supporting bombed children’s hospital in Ukraine

Aug 24, 2024 | 4:11 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – August 24 marked the 33rd Ukrainian National Independence Day, and to celebrate and recognize the day a fundraiser was held at the Saint George Ukrainian Catholic Church. The funds are being used to help rebuild a children’s hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, that was bombed by Russian missiles on July 8.

“That clinic needs to be rebuilt as soon as possible because this is the only clinic which does some very unique surgeries for the kids, and their well-being depends very much on that clinic,” said Andrii Chornenkyi, the Church’s pastor.

The bombed hospital in Kyiv

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“For us to celebrate has a different meaning. It’s not a time of relaxation, it’s actually to be involved and to do something to invest in that independence. Today, we know that there’s a price for independence,” he continued.

The fundraiser was strongly attended, as many community members visited to enjoy Ukrainian food and homemade goods, and also play some games. While it was certainly a fun day, Chornenkyi added the cause it supports is incredibly important so he was very grateful to the community for supporting it.

“It’s really nice to know that when you send this appeal and this message to help to rebuild the hospital for children, people who probably have never been to Ukraine, never heard about Ukraine, are so compassionate. And they came truly not to eat and not to taste our food, but really to support us. All that beautiful, tasty stuff is additional, but they really want to come and to support us in our fundraising,” Chornenkyi said.

Prince George has a strong Ukrainian community, and many moved here recently due to the ongoing war. Among them is Helyna Budeichuk, who moved in 2022. She, among many other Ukrainians, feel it’s quite special to be able to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day with the Ukrainian community while also supporting their home.

“So many young people just lost their lives for freedom, for the independence of Ukraine. Today we celebrate Independence Day of Ukraine and we hope that we’ll have this real independence, because Ukraine is a peaceful country. We never wanted this war,” Budeichuk said.

Leaving your home and family in a time of crisis is never an easy choice, but Budeichuk said the community here has been incredibly welcoming and helped her feel at home.

“I’m very blessed that I can be here. Of course I miss my family and my heart is always in Ukraine, but because Canadian culture has some glimpses of Ukrainian culture merged into Canadian culture, I feel here it’s kind of like home. You have here a Ukrainian church, we have a big Ukrainian community and we have great support from many good people in Prince George,” Budeichuk said.

Among many others at the fundraiser was author Cynthia LeBrun, who wrote the book “Black Sunflowers,” which details her mother’s life and experience regarding Holodomor, a Ukrainian genocide organized by Stalin which killed millions. The book and Holodomor remain timely today, as many Ukrainians continue to suffer due to the ongoing war that has lasted years now.

“Millions of people who lived in Ukraine suffered and died under Stalin, and they had no one to tell the story. So to me, I’m holding the torch for millions of others, telling what they suffered” LeBrun said.

While home is an ocean away for many in Prince George, celebrating Ukrianian Independence Day and supporting the rebuild of an essential children’s hospital in Kyiv was certainly special for the Ukrainian community here.

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