A Ukrainian convoy started in Kelowna and made its way to Vernon on March 12, in order to raise money for the people of Ukraine in their war with Russia.
Denys Storozhuk is a Kelowna resident from Kyiv and is one of the leaders of the convoy, along with Shimon Gelblum and Daniel Sora. They are organizing direct support for Ukraine fighting against Russian aggression. There is also a Facebook group they created called 91裸聊视频楰elowna Stands with Ukraine91裸聊视频�.
91裸聊视频淢y whole family was able to leave to Poland,91裸聊视频� said Storozhuk. 91裸聊视频淓veryone else I know is fighting. They went to the territorial defense units and they91裸聊视频檙e supplying them.91裸聊视频�
Storozhuk added he91裸聊视频檚 been able to keep in touch with his friends who are fighting every day.
convoy leaves to head to at 2:15 this afternoon
91裸聊视频� Jordy Cunningham (@CunninghamJordy)
Around 30 people showed up at Kelowna City Hall at 2 p.m., with about 20 people in seven cars making their way to Vernon.
The convoy arrived at Vernon91裸聊视频檚 Polson Park around 3 p.m. There, Storozhuk took the microphone to inform the crowd of about 50 people about the latest events in Ukraine, and what folks in the area can do to help.
Among those in the crowd were North Okanagan-Shuswap MP Mel Arnold and City of Vernon Councillors Akbal Mund and Teresa Durning.
A rally in support of Ukraine travelled from Kelowna to Vernon91裸聊视频檚 Polson Park, where about 50 people including NOK-Shuswap MP Mel Arnold gathered Saturday.
91裸聊视频� Brendan Shykora (@brendanshykora)
Vernon resident Donia Strand has been a friend of Storozhuk for 20 years. She helped organize the Vernon portion of the rally.
She says helping Ukrainians survive the Russian invasion is the first priority for the group, and while the crisis may feel far away from home for Canadians, she reminds that Canada and Russia are neighbours in the north.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e found that Russia has put men and women back into the bases along the arctic. I think we have to be cognizant that we also share a border with Russia,91裸聊视频� she said.
The will of Ukrainians with their nation under threat has inspired onlookers around the world, and Strand says it starts at the top with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
91裸聊视频淭hey are comparing him to Churchill right now, and I believe that he has rallied the world. I don91裸聊视频檛 think they would have gotten so many Western sanctions and such without such a strong leader,91裸聊视频� she said.
Citizens who want to support and help can get Ukraine stickers for a minimum donation of $40.
READ MORE: Kelowna businesses stand with Ukraine
READ MORE: Diverse cultures come together to support Ukraine in Kelowna
jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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