On February 24, 2022, Russia began her formal invasion of Ukraine, following up on the March 18, 2014 invasion, when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula and took a part of Ukraine’s sovereign territory. As a result of the ongoing war over 12 million people are displaced with over 5 million having had to flee the country and 7 million refugees within the country of just over 44 million people.
At the end of April 2022, the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club (KCRC) wanted to provide, on the ground, direct support to Ukrainian refugees. They asked their members if anyone knew of a way to get direct help to Ukraine. Rev. Dr. Dieter Kays, a member, knew of a person who might help. He asked Pastor Roland Syens a missionary to Ukraine (1993-2005) for 13 years if he still had connections and could get money into the hands of those who needed it most and could help others.
Pastor Roland was in daily contact with people in Ukraine from many different cities. He was asked to be the contractor and to develop a Schedule A of how money would be used and a Schedule B as to how money would be received and then sent into the hands of Ukrainians. This was done and on March 16, 2022, a sum of $10,000 was sent over to Ukraine.
Since that first sum of $10,000 in March, 2022, we are now over 1,800 days (almost 3 years) with the war on Ukraine and monthly transfers have been ongoing. These transfers are now totalling about $10,000 per month and this would probably need to be continued until the war subsides.
Activities that have been funded by this project:
Now the residents of Ukraine are dealing with winter so we are helping to buy winter clothes and equipping a community center with reliable heating and propane gas cylinders for when the electricity or gas fails.
As you can see the timely funds from the KCRC has been a life saver for hundreds of people. They have been able to get support, food, help and aid to people on the ground in ways that others have not been able to do so quickly and effectively. Special thanks to all those who support Ukraine through the club. It makes a difference. If it was you in need and your family, you would see how wonderful these gifts are.
You can donate directly to the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club – International Aid Fund (KCRC-IAF) via e-transfer.
All funds go directly into the KCRC-IAF bank account at the Bank of Montreal. 100% of the funds are then forwarded to contacts in the Ukraine for direct aid to those that need it.
The email address to which you can send funds via Interac is: donatetoiaf@kcrotary.ca
The account is set for auto-deposit so no secret word is required. On the e-transfer form, in the Description box, state that you wish the funds to be allocated to the Ukraine Relief Fund.
You can also donate online at Canada Helps and specify that the donation is for the Ukrainian Relief Fund.
The image in the header of this page is the “Independence Monument” which stands on a pedestal over 100 feet in the air in Maidan Square in Kiev, Ukraine. It represents the past and future wishes of the Ukrainian people.
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Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club (KCRC) has a proud, 50-year tradition of providing exceptional support for charitable causes both locally and around the world.
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