Winnipeg content creator launches fundraiser for Ukraine, goal reached within the first hour
A content creator in Winnipeg is using her platform to help raise money for Ukraine and has already surpassed her total by a wide margin.
Lily Medynska, a content creator with Winnipeg Eats, launched a fundraiser in support of Ukraine as Russia continues to invade the country.
Medynska said the page was set up on Monday with a goal of raising $10,000. Within the first hour, she said the goal was reached.
"We kept refreshing the page and couldn't believe our eyes," said Medynska. "I mean, it's not surprising. I think everyone in the Winnipeg community has someone that they know who is Ukrainian. There's a lot of Ukrainians that have immigrated here or were born here, or whose grandparents immigrated here."
Medynska said it was important for her to start this fundraiser and she was born in Ukraine and immigrated to Canada in 2002. She also has family still in Ukraine and said this has hit close to home for her.
"Just speaking with family, no one really on the ground in Ukraine thought it was going to happen. So seeing it unfold on the news, I remember sitting on the couch with my husband and just watching it happen. It was surreal and it took me a few days to really come to terms with it."
She said her family has been able to make it to safe cities in Ukraine but she knows anything is possible with this invasion.
All the money raised will be sent to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, with Medynska saying the money will have an immediate impact.
"Within seven days of making a donation, that donation is making an impact in Ukraine. So they are on the ground in Ukraine. They're sending funds to people working in Ukraine, trying to get humanitarian aid to Ukrainians."
She added there isn't a closing date for the fundraiser and every $15 or more donation will be entered into a draw to win a variety of prizes that have been given by local businesses.
As of Wednesday evening, more than $47,000 has been raised.
More information on how to donate can be found on the Winnipeg Eats Instagram page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canadian women among those who allege Harrods boss sexually abused them
CTV News has learned there are multiple Canadian women alleging they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the late Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed.
PM Justin Trudeau to adjust cabinet roles today, as Pablo Rodriguez quits
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be making adjustments to his cabinet today, CTV News has confirmed. The small shuffle is the result of longtime cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez quitting.
BREAKING François Legault wants the Trudeau government to fall
Quebec Premier François Legault is calling on the Bloc Québécois to topple the Trudeau government next Wednesday and trigger a federal election.
Hezbollah leader vows retaliation against Israel for attacks on devices as both sides trade strikes
The leader of Hezbollah vowed to keep up daily strikes on Israel despite this week's mass bombing attack on its communication devices, and said Israelis displaced by the fighting from homes near the Lebanon border would not be able to return until the war in Gaza ends.
Canadian among dozens arrested in Ghost app global cybercrime crackdown
A Canadian suspect was among dozens arrested around the world in a global crackdown on the encrypted communication platform, called Ghost, according to the RCMP.
Quebec woman charged with first-degree murder in death of five-year-old boy
A 29-year-old Quebec woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of a five-year-old boy southwest of Montreal.
Huge python grabs Thai woman in her kitchen, squeezes her two hours before she can be freed
A 64-year-old woman was preparing to do her evening dishes at her home outside Bangkok when she felt a sharp pain in her thigh and looked down to see a huge python taking hold of her.
CTV News in Italy Stolen Winston Churchill 'Roaring Lion' portrait returned after ceremony in Italy
A special ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome marked the successful recovery of an iconic portrait of Winston Churchill after a two-year search by Ottawa police.
Robbers crash through ceiling in brazen US$150K cash heist
Two suspects broke into a cheque-cashing business in Atlanta through the ceiling and forced an employee to open the safe, where they stole US$150K.