'A little bit of Christmas, a little bit of normalcy': How you can help Ukrainian newcomers this Christmas
A non-profit is collecting donations to help make the holiday season a little more special for Ukrainian families who recently arrived in Manitoba, fleeing violence in their homeland.
The Ukrainian National Federation of Canada’s (UNF) Winnipeg branch is hosting a special breakfast for families on Dec. 17 at its Main Street building.
“The kids and their families have gone through so much turbulence and upheaval over the course of the last nine months or so, so we wanted to bring them a little bit of Christmas, a little bit of normalcy to their lives, and just to welcome them to Winnipeg and to show them that Winnipeggers care,” said event co-chair Tony Zerucha.
Families who attend will be treated to a pancake breakfast and a special appearance from Santa Claus himself.
Zerucha hopes every child who attends will also leave with a present, but the federation needs Winnipeggers’ help to do it.
The federation is hosting a toy drive to help make this happen. It is calling on the public to bring new toys to the UNF facility at 935 Main Street on Mondays to Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Zerucha said they have already received many items for young children, and are now in need of gifts for kids ages three to 12.
“We have a team of folks ready to wrap them and get them ready for the 17th, and then we'll hand them out there,” he said.
“If we get more toys than there are people coming to the breakfast, there are so many people that have registered with the UNF that we’ll make sure that we deliver them to their homes, as well.”
Zerucha notes UNF has registered more than 2,600 families who have recently arrived in Winnipeg, fleeing Russian aggression, to receive food, clothing, furniture and other essentials. These items were also supplied mainly through donations from the public.
With the holiday season approaching, Zerucha knows Winnipeggers will come through again.
“Manitobans are known for being very generous folks. We’d love that when they’re out shopping, they throw an extra toy in the cart and deliver it to us, and we can guarantee you it’ll brighten someone’s Christmas,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.