Many Canadians feel powerless in the face of the war unfolding before our eyes. Here are some local ideas and initiatives to support Ukraine.
Ukrainian grocery menu
In Saint-Lambert, the grocery store Les semeurs, which already offered ready-to-eat to avoid waste, has created a “special Ukrainian” menu. The chef will revisit chicken Kiev and borsch.
Customers are invited to reserve their menu by email, by writing to [email protected]. They can then pick it up directly at the grocery store, between March 15 and 20.
The initiative, proposed by a client, was immediately adopted by Marie-Julie Garneau, co-owner. “I was obsessed with this story and I couldn’t see myself talking about what I did during the spring break on the grocery store’s social networks, when there are a lot of things happening internationally. We were looking for a way to show our support and collect what we can, with the means we have”.
At the time these lines were written, the grocery store had already received 22 pre-orders of $50 baskets, of which $40 will be donated to La Croix Rouge. Marie-Julie Garneau says the grocery store will adapt to demand, and is ready to repeat the experience.
“Supporting Ukraine, through art”
Feeling helpless and anxious in the face of the crisis, two Quebec artists decided to act. The two women launched a Facebook appeal “to everyone, not just artists”, inviting them to create self-portraits wearing a vinok, a crown of Ukrainian flowers symbolizing national pride.
The idea is “to embellish our faces with a magnificent floral crown to pay tribute to all these people who stand up, fight for their country”, can we read in the description of the event on Facebook.
“I was no longer able to create. I spent a big two weeks going around in circles like a cat,” explains Nancy Létourneau, who calmed her anxiety by creating self-portraits.
Artists, established or aspiring, have until Monday, March 14 to participate. The works will then be put up for sale on a virtual auction, and the donations will be entirely donated to La Croix Rouge.
Charity concert
The Ukrainian National Federation of Canada in Montreal (UNF) is organizing a charity concert on Wednesday, March 16 in support of the Canada Ukraine Foundation. The artists present have not yet been announced, but the organization will feature Ukrainian musicians.
Last Sunday, the UNF raised nearly $50,000 during a first concert, bringing together the jazz quartet led by Montreal saxophonist of Ukrainian origin, Bogdan Gumenyuk, and the Murmurosi ensemble. The musicians performed original compositions, as well as traditional Ukrainian songs.
Ukrainian music in headphones
Supporting Ukraine through music can extend to listening to Ukrainian artists on platforms, a way to directly increase their income. A playlist has also been posted on Spotify by the University of Pittsburgh. Professor Adriana Helbig, who teaches ethnomusicology, has selected twelve songs for the “Ukrainian Resistance”.
Financial donations
“I think everyone agrees that giving money to aid organizations is the best thing to do right now, because they know how to get goods to Ukraine quickly, and the costs shipping costs from Canada are very high,” explains UNF member Nadia Demko.
Material donations
In addition to financial donations, material donations are just as important. “Several churches collect goods for this purpose, but others also do it in anticipation of the arrival of refugees,” adds Ms.me Demko.
Medicines, baby products, clothing, sleeping bags; there are many material donations that can help Ukrainians. The Center multiethnique de Québec, which welcomes immigrants, is organizing a fundraiser on Saturday, March 12, at the Orthodox Parish of Québec.
In Montreal, the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Saint-Michel-Archange and the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary also accept donations.
Playing video games
Information shared by Radio-Canada last week, “ID Software co-founder John Romero launched One Humanitya paid extra level of the classic game Doom IIall proceeds of which will be donated to the Red Cross and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund”.
Airbnb
More than $2 million has been raised through booking accommodations in Ukraine on Airbnb, shared the platform’s co-founder, Joe Gebbia, on Twitter. Those who wish to participate in the movement must search directly on the Airbnb site for a rental in Ukraine, and book it. A way to send money directly into the pockets of Ukrainian owners.
The approach seems to have made people talk in Ukraine, since the following message can be read in the description of an accommodation: “You know what is happening in Ukraine now. Everyone is affected by the current situation. We would be very grateful for your financial assistance at this particularly difficult time. […] LET THERE BE PEACE! “.
Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, tweeted today that more than 11,000 people have signed up to the site to “offer homes to refugees”.
be well informed
Even if the quotation that has been circulating since the start of the conflict has never been uttered, it is true that “the first victim of a war is the truth”. First Western conflict that we can watch on the screen of our cell phone, the war in Ukraine is a source of misinformation. It is important to stay informed, and to support local journalists.
Ukrainian independent media, The Kyiv Independenta leading local news source, has created a crowdfunding page Go Fund Me.
Information also passes through culture. Ukrainian film Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedomproduced in 2015 and telling the story of the Euromaidan protests of 2013 and 2014, is available for free on YouTube, as well as on Netflix.
You are launching or wish to share other initiatives with us, write to us at [email protected]