By Cheryl Jahn

More help needed for Ukraine

May 13, 2022 | 4:04 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – It was a gathering of those who can help From fundraising to housing to childminding and English-language education, ready to help those who are arriving from across the world, here on emergency visas from Ukraine. The message today was clear: Expect more to come and help is still needed, starting with housing. To date, a number of families have been housed in Prince George

“So we are in need of, hopefully, some discounted pricing of condos, apartments, basement suites, and houses,” says Eva Gillis, who is coordinating the accommodations for Ukrainians as they arrive in Prince George. “And to various-sized families.”

One long-time Prince George resident has opted to accommodate a family of five from Russia, Pat Bell says he and his wife just had to help.

“We felt we needed to to do something,” he explains. “And we didn’t know what it was. Do we donate money? How do we help somehow? And we look at each other and said ‘You know what? We’re on our own.’ Our kids are all grown. They can help us as well. Why don’t we open our home?”

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Through a generous donation, PG4Ukraine has produced a video with a message to Ukrainians. Thes group is ready to receive hundreds and even thousands, if needed. But, they need money to do that. Fundraising has earned about 60-thousand dollars locally, through Share Hope.

“Typically we would raise money to support one family through the entire year. To help cover their costs,” explains Dick Mynen with Share Hope. ” This year, we hope to raise more funds because we’re supporting many more families.”

They typically have a goal of raising 40-thousand dollars per family for the year. But these circumstances are different and they hope to raise at least a hundred thousand dollars. People can donate through a website called “Canada Helps.”

But, as has been shown so far and in the past, Prince George has the heart and always steps up.

“People are very generous and it is surprising sometimes, really, to look at a list of people who are willing to bring people into their homes,” says Gillis. “But it’s not going to be enough.”

To date, 91,000 Ukrainians have been approved to come to Canada and, to date, 65,000 of those people have yet to arrive.