Tryzub raising funds, building community ‘No time to put our hands down’

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This article was published 16/06/2022 (1565 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A local Ukrainian group is hosting a social fundraiser this weekend to collect donations for humanitarian aid efforts in the besieged country.

The Discover Ukraine Social, organized by Tryzub, will take place Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Ukrainian National Home (Orthodox Hall).

A traditional Ukrainian dinner will begin at 7 p.m. A raffle, 50/50 draw, photo zone and Ukrainian souvenirs will be available for purchase as part of the fundraiser.

The event will also feature traditional and authentic Ukrainian food and showcase videos celebrating Ukraine. Music will be provided by a live Ukrainian Winnipeg-based DJ.

The Brandon-based Canadian Ukrainian Association group Tryzub is a unique organization with a strong hands-on volunteer base, said member Julia Krykavska. She described it as a grassroots community that offers support on the ground in Ukraine and in Westman.

“We need things to be done immediately because people who flee [Ukraine], they have no place to live. They have no place to stay,” Krykavska said. “They require that support immediately. We’ve been united as we’ve never been as an association, as a group of people, as a community, which is great.”

The United Nations reported in May the war in Ukraine has displaced eight million people within the country while forcing around six million people to flee. Around 10 Ukrainian families have settled in Westman since the conflict began in February, Krykavska said.

The Canadian government reported since Jan. 1 more than 42,000 Ukrainians have arrived in our country. The Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel, which allows Ukrainian nationals and their family members to apply for a temporary resident visa, has received almost 300,000 applications to date and approved more than 131,000 applications.

“People are slowly settling. It’s for the majority of them quite a decision to make to come to Canada and there are still a lot of things to get used to and a lot of paperwork to be done in order to stay here,” Krykavska said.

Tryzub was established several years ago as a Ukrainian cultural association. Members quickly pivoted and worked to redesign the group when war broke out to provide immigration support for refugees and those affected by the war.

It can be busy, frustrating and exhausting to keep track of the needed supports, she said, but volunteers remain committed because it is for a good cause. Tryzub also has people directly on the ground in Ukraine seeing firsthand how donations are helping people.

“We are in communications 24-7. We are on the run 24-7. We are knocking on every door we can asking for support and help. We’re very appreciative for the support and very thankful for the patience that people have with us,” Krykavska said. “It’s very hard emotionally and we are exhausted, but there is no time to put our hands down. We still have a lot of work to be done in order to help those people.”

Tryzub has been hosting different fundraisers across Westman to keep Ukraine in people’s minds.

“In Ukraine, [the war] is still ongoing. People are unfortunately dying every day. Some have left with nothing.”

Tryzub has a robust roster of volunteers sending as much money as possible weekly while organizing support for families fleeing Ukraine to settle in Brandon and the surrounding area. This has included meeting with all levels of government and a partnership with Westman Immigrant Services.

Funds raised play an especially pivotal role in setting up accommodations for newcomers.

“We hope we can settle as many families as we can in Brandon here,” Krykavska said. “Ukrainians all over the world are suffering. We really pray for this to be over soon, but no one knows when it’s going to be over.”

Tickets for the social are $25 for adults, $15 for youth aged seven to 15 and children under seven are free. Tickets can be purchased at Your Home Store, Hairistocracy Salon and Spa, Western Nation Gas Station and Keywest Photo.

For more information, call or text 204-740-0496.

“We really need money to support our volunteers in Ukraine, and we need money to support our refugees who are coming to Brandon.”

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

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