Sold-out fundraiser a St. Thomas show of solidarity for Ukraine

St. Thomas stood in solidarity with Ukraine in a sold-out show of support Tuesday evening at the CASO station.

The fundraiser, in support of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, featured speakers, silent auction, market place and a variety of Ukrainian foods.

City councillor Steve Peters spoke of the significance of the railway station as a venue, a spot where countless immigrants passed through to start a new life.

Peters was the main speaker at the fundraiser and recounted the third wave of Ukrainian immigrants in the 1940s and 1950s who were welcomed to St. Thomas because of their work ethic.

Ukrainians desperately need help. That was the message from Daria Hryckiw, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in London, who thanked those in attendance for supporting her native land.

She recounted the story of a woman who sold her jewelry for $6,000 and donated the money to help with humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Peters noted the sizeable Ukrainian community in St. Thomas in the 1950s built their own church. It was called Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church and is still there but has been converted into a house.

He closed with the observation, “Ukrainians are a strong people.”

Event organizer Petrusia Hontar says they have more than doubled their initial financial target of $10,000 with proceeds from the silent auction still to be factored in.

Written by Ian McCallum