Multiple large-scale fundraisers have been taking place across Prince George to help support Ukrainians who are displaced by the war and settling in northern BC.
The most notable charity drive came from Miracle Theatre, which raised over $190,000 to set up an endowment to help present and future refugees who come to Prince George.
In mid-May, the Prince George Community Foundation also held a banquet called Prince George Live for Ukraine.
While the total amount raised has not been announced yet, a table for eight for the evening cost $900, and the banquet at the Coast Inn was sold out.
These two drives are coming at the right time, as Ukrainians continue to regularly arrive in Prince George.
According to Dick Mynen, a Share Hope volunteer, there are now 216 Ukrainians in Prince George, which equates to 75 families.
Since the invasion started, Mynen said they have helped a total of 258 people settle in northern BC which equals 93 families.
82 more people are either on their way or in conversation with Share Hope.
These people are split into three groups; those who are still in Ukraine, those who have escaped Ukraine and are in a bordering country, and those who are already in Canada and are looking for a place to permanently settle.
“The last two families that have come, their journey to Canada started in Ukraine with a bus trip to Warsaw, then a plane trip to Prince George,” Mynen explained.
He mentioned his organization has not received any proceeds from either Miracle Theatre or PG Live for Ukraine yet, but they are on their way and the awareness those events have raised has been invaluable.
“Those that are already in the know seem very aware of what is happening, but many people don’t realize there are already 200 Ukrainians in our community and successfully settled here,” he said, “Due to the help, by and large, of Prince George’s community.”
Housing is still the biggest area of concern for Share Hope, as it is for many in Prince George, as families of up to eight people are regularly arriving and needing accommodation.
Mynen also said another barrier some Ukrainians are facing right now is the lack of language classes running in the summer offseason.
“Many people that have arrived in the last couple weeks are going to miss out on the availability of CNC or IMSS (Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society),” he explained. “It slows down people’s ability to grasp the language enough to get a good job here.”
KMS Tools donated a full warehouse, rent-free, to Share Hope in the fall for people to drop off and donate furniture and other household items.
Mynen said this resource has helped furnish around 55 homes, emphasizing how grateful they are to KMS for the help.
Share Hope has their own fundraiser coming up this weekend as a part of the BC Gourmet Arts Festival that is being held at the Kin Centre.
They will be selling pancakes from 10:00 until noon on Sunday morning (July 11).
