Local Ukraine Donation Collection running now until March 24

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Shelburne residents who are looking for a way to help Ukrainian refugees will have an opportunity to do so with a donation collection scheduled for March 17 to March 24. 

Organized by local residents, Alexandra Georgie and Dr. Richard Magder, the week-long donation campaign will help collect needed items to send to refugees. 

“Just like everyone, we've been watching through the news and social media, the unfortunate events that are unfolding in the Ukraine right now. [We're] especially being moved by live content from people directly in the Ukraine capturing videos of the horrible things that are happening, how they're having to pick up their lives and flee their homes and communities,” said Georgie. “We just want to do whatever we can to help those individuals and refugees who have had their lives turned upside down. 

Donations collected over the week will be taken to Grace Church, an Oshawa-based Ukrainian Pentecostal Church, who have partnered with Meest Canadian Shipping to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Items that are being asked for including new or gently used air mattresses, coloured duct tape, construction gloves, emergency blankets, goggles, thermal underwear, Kevlar helmets, sleeping bags, tactical backpacks, tents and candles (new only). 

Medicine items include: allergy, fever and cold medicine, first aid kits, Polysporin, sore throat lozenges, pain relief such as Tylenol, Advil, Ibuprofen, Aleve and muscle relaxants, sterile wipes, bandages, and PPE. 

Georgie noted that the collection has already begun to see donations of items on the list come in from the community including a donation from local pharmacy Caravaggio I.D.A.

“It's a humanitarian crisis and we just wanted to be a part, even a small part, of helping out others around the world,” said Caravaggio I.D.A owner and pharmacist, Margerit Bebawy. 

The donation collection will begin on March 17 and will run until March 24. Donations can be dropped off at Shelburne Family Chiropractic, located at 310 Main Street E between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.