A New Westminster church is hosting a fundraiser to aid those fighting and suffering in Ukraine.
Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church is inviting everyone in the community to stop by and enjoy homemade perogies, cabbage rolls, borscht and sausages.
The Perogies For Peace event will take place this upcoming Saturday, April 29, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The church is located at 501 Fourth Ave.
Father Mykhailo Ozorovych describes the event as an opportunity to socialize and help the cause.
“It’s just a very nice event for the community to come together, have a nice homemade, handmade meal, support the parish and reconnect,” he said.
The church has been hosting fundraising dinners since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. According to Ozorovych, the first event raised $12,000 in one night.
In 2023, getting financial help has been one of the challenges for the church. During the first three months of the year, it raised $15,000, much less than at the beginning of the war.
“I know that people emotionally are there the neighbourhood is still supporting,” he said. “The financial support is just not there. It's very hard for people to upkeep such dedication and generosity for a longer period.”
In 14 months of war, close to 1,500 people have benefited directly or indirectly by the church-led fundraising events, which range from financially supporting Ukrainian newcomers in Canada to sending medical and humanitarian aid to those who are still in Ukraine.
Now, many of the volunteers are Ukrainians who were helped by the church and see it as an opportunity to give back.
“Most of the people that have come to volunteer are temporary displaced Ukrainians ... who want, in their small way, to contribute to the war efforts in Ukraine by fundraising here,” Ozorovych said.
Perogies For Peace - Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church
- When: April 29 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Where: Holy Eucharist Catholic Church (501 Fourth Ave., New Westminster, B.C.)
- Orders available to dine-in and takeout
