A list of Vancouver Island organizations providing aid for Ukraine

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine stretches on, organizations across Canada are stepping up to help those who need it most.

That includes a number of businesses on Vancouver Island. Below, find a list of these businesses that are offering a helping hand, and what you can do to step up for Ukraine in its time of need.

Ukrainian-Canadian Cultural Centre of Vancouver Island

The centre features a number of ways to help on its website, including links to donate to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal of the Canada Ukraine Foundation and Ukrainian Canadian Congress at www.cufoundation.ca.

The centre is also accepting volunteers who can help out after normal office hours. More information can be found in a public spreadsheet.

UCCVI is also asking those with extra space in their homes who would like to share it with a Ukrainian refugee family to complete a form at this link.

Funds can be donated at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre at 3277 Douglas St., Victoria, in the form of cash, cheque, debit and credit, or donations by card can be made over the phone by calling 250-475-2585.

UCCVI is also partnering with Soap for Hope, Compassionate Resource Warehouse and iCROSS Canada to put together a shipping container of specific items to send to Ukrainian refugees. See below for further details.

Fill a 40-Foot Container for Ukraine

Soap for Hope Canada is partnering with Compassionate Resource Warehouse and iCROSS Canada to fill a 40-foot container with items needed by Ukrainians fleeing their country. The container has already been purchased and will be used for storage of necessary supplies at the Ukraine-Poland border.

“Our contacts are on the ground setting up a Field Hospital on the Ukraine-Poland border and Registration Centre for new arrivals to Poland. A medical team will be flying in as well as people to facilitate the Registration Centre. The border has hundreds of thousands of people needing help now,” says the organization.

Items needed include:

• Baby items – diaper cream, baby lotion, diapers
• Toddler – diapers and pull-ups
• Receiving blankets, twin blankets
• Towels – bath, hand and face cloths
• Feminine Products (pads and tampons)
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Wrapped soap
• Body Lotion
• Combs and Brushes

Products can be dropped off to the Soap for Hope warehouse Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For more information, visit the Soap for Hope website, where you can also make a monetary donation, here.

Local Helping Locals from Abroad — Dodd’s Furniture and Mattress

Well-known business owner and philanthropist Gordy Dodd will be accepting donations of soap, socks, shampoo, sleeping bags and more at Dodd’s Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River until April 3.

This Saturday, March 19, Gordy himself will be high atop Dodd’s Victoria at 715 Finlayson Street in a Sunbelt Rentals scissor-lift to kick off the campaign.

The goal is to fill a shipping container full of donated items that will be sent to Compassionate Resource Warehouse and the people of Ukraine, in partnership with the Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Society of Vancouver Island, Soap for Hope and HerWork.

“The Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Society has become a beacon of hope. A place that we can all rally around as neighbours, family or just as humanitarians to give and help,” said Love Dodd.

Contact Dodd’s Furniture for more info on how to donate.

Stand With Ukraine benefit concert in Sidney

Boondocks Bar & Grill on 9819 Fifth St. in Sidney will be hosting a Stand With Ukraine benefit concert from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 19.

The all-day benefit concert will feature live performances by The Distractions, Carla Olive, Lust Life, Mike Dalla-Vee, Paradise Street Duo, Helen & Al, and Truman Mason. There will also be a special Ukrainian dance performance by Veselka Dancers as well as a raffle and prizes.

The concert is aiming to raise $10,000 for the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF), which will use the funds to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees.

Entry is by donation.

For a full list of performers and performance times visit https://thedistractionsband.ca/ukraine/ or click here.

Westcoast Appliance Matching Donations

Westcoast Appliance Gallery is matching donations to any registered Canadian charity up to a maximum of $6,000 to help Ukrainian people.

Beginning last week, the business says anyone who sends or brings in a copy of their donation receipt can have their donation matched to the same charity, for the same amount.

“You don’t need to be our customer or have bought or buy anything from us. Just make a donation to a registered Canadian Charity for Ukraine and we will match it,”the business says.

To have your donation matched, email a copy of your receipt to [email protected] or bring a copy of your invoice to the store.

Salvation Army Fundraiser

The Salvation Army has personnel and volunteers on the ground helping refugees in Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Poland and surrounding countries.

Donations made will help provide aid including food, temporary housing, clothing, hygiene kits, diapers, blankets, counselling and transportation for those who fled their homes with little to nothing.

Donations can be made on the Salvation Army’s website.

Perogies for a Cause

Colwood resident Lia Butler has raised more than $5,000 for her native Ukraine by selling perogies through her Facebook page.

The funds raised go to military aid as well as groceries and basic supplies for those in need.

To order, contact Butler on Facebook.

Meals for Abandoned Dogs — Animal Food Bank and PawSwap

PawSwap, an app that helps feed animals in need, has partnered with the Animal Food Bank to provide meals to dogs in Ukraine while also providing meals to dogs of RainCoast Rescue on Vancouver Island for the month of March.

The app is free to sign up for and allows users to donate meals by redeeming points earned by visiting dog-friendly businesses listed on the app. For every meal donated, PawSwap will donate a second meal to a dog in Ukraine.

Animal Food Bank says it hopes to donate 1,000 meals to Rain Coast Rescue and 1,000 meals to Ukraine.

More information can be found on the Animal Food Bank and PawSwap websites.

Horse Show Fundraiser for Abandoned Animals — Lochside Lane Equestrian

Animals are often the forgotten victims of conflict and war. It is almost impossible to comprehend the number of dogs and cats left behind as hundreds of thousands of people flee their homes.

Lochside Lane Equestrian says the local horse show community is coming together March 12-13 in a colourful way to raise funds for rescue missions for the animals Ukrainians were forced to leave behind.

The two-day show takes place at 7225 Puckle Rd. in Central Saanich. Contact Tanya Hardy at 250-217-1295 or email her at [email protected] for more information.

Discounted Dog Training with Proceeds to Ukraine

Darcie Jennings, who is Ukrainian, is holding a fundraiser until end of day Sunday, March 20, offering discounted dog training courses through CommuniCanine.

Online courses are just $49 and 100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and Save Pets of U kraine.

Her goal is to raise $5,000 by the end of the week. Find more information here.

Know of a fundraiser for Ukraine that isn’t on the list? Email it to [email protected].

Editorial Policies

Report an Error