Funds of Benevolence for Ukraine

Funds of Benevolence for Ukraine

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Vegreville Town Council along with St. Mary’s Catholic School graduation class have been busy raising funds for Vegreville’s Twin City of Kolomyia, Ukraine.

In a press release, it was stated that, the $1,206 which St. Mary’s grad class generated from their Perogy Lunch Fundraiser on March 24, 2022, Council elected to donate $1,894 from their Legislative budget, as well as, an additional $900 generated through an impromptu donation box at the Alberta Municipalities’ Spring Leaders Caucus and Town of Vegreville staff donations, bringing the total donation amount to $4,000.

Cheque presentation of $4,000. Back Row L-R: Councillor Len Bullock, Councillor Jerrold Lemko, Councillor Tina Warawa, Councillor Taneen Rudyk, Mayor Tim MacPhee, St. Mary’s Catholic School Principal Jim Salsbury, students Drayden Van Der Torre, Dawson Bilyk, Colby Warawa, Councillor David Berry. Front Row L-R: Students Madyson Nichol, Sage Lappa, Aidan Palmer, Co-Chair for Vegreville and Area Stands With Ukraine Committee Michelle Henderson, and student Andrew Henderson.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Mayor Tim MacPhee said, “This needless, unprovoked attack by Russia on Ukraine continues to rage on and Council remains devastated and heartbroken as we watch the continuing coverage in the country. Our feelings of anguish and anger are however matched by an overwhelming desire to assist our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in any way possible. This donation is another example of our community’s unified efforts as-in what at times can be a rare partnership-local youth and local government come together to offer support for our twin city Kolomyia.”

Funds generated will assist Kolomyia in the purchase and procurement of medical and military supplies, along with general supplies to help with sheltering evacuees that have come from other parts of the country, as per a request for assistance directly from the city located in the western portion of Ukraine.

Portraying Empathy for People of Ukraine

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Karine Tahon is an artist who was born in France, raised in Belgium and currently resides in Edmonton.

Karine recently donated several paintings to Vegreville and Area Stands With Ukraine (VASWU) fundraising silent auction to help newcomers from Ukraine who come to Vegreville as well as support humanitarian efforts for Ukraine.

When Karine was asked about her journey as an artist, she replied, “I always drew and painted since I was a very young girl. The Russian war against Ukraine touches me very profoundly because I am European and all my family is still there, and Ukraine is fighting for the freedom for all of us,” Karine explained.

Pictures of Karine Tahon’s paintings.

(Sarah Branco/Submitted Photo)

“I painted the first painting I am donating to the silent auction at the beginning of the war and I called it, ‘Ukraine Under the Storm’. The second painting I’ve painted is of the soldier with the cat and dog as I was touched by the kindness of the soldiers rescuing them. The painting of the little girl’s hand is symbolic of wanting peace in darkness. The other large one is one of many stories that broke my heart, that little girl is real and it was a picture of her and a dead lady which I changed a bit. The painting of the stamp was just to make us all laugh a little bit in the middle of a raging war.

I created a painting of President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and painted him at the centre of another of the painting because Zelenskyy was insulted sadly by people where they said he was a comedian and other stuff. But it turns out that he is standing with his people for freedom and I do admire this. He is to me a great leader, regardless of what some other nations are saying, without freedom…we are nothing and this man is on the ground with his people. He is leading his country.

This picture with him at the centre is symbolic. There is a reporter, nurse, civilians, men and women soldier and the first known soldier who blew up the bridge (himself included) to save the city because by blowing up the bridge he knew that the Russians wouldn’t get to the city.

I gave the paintings to Vegreville where there is a big Ukrainian community because I knew they are doing a lot to help Ukraine.”