Independence Day of Ukraine market raising money for bombed children’s hospital

Today is the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s declaration of state sovereignty.

St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and numerous displaced Ukrainians now living in Prince George are marking the occasion by holding a market, with all proceeds going towards a children’s hospital in Kyiv that was bombed by Russia earlier this summer.

Andrii Chornenkyi, the Pastor of St. George’s, said “because of the war, we have to redefine the notion of celebration” around the holiday.

“Less relaxation, more participation. We are all fighting on our own front line,” he said. “Those brothers and sisters back in Ukraine are fighting, we are fighting here by raising some funds.”

Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, located in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv, was bombed and badly damaged by Russian forces on July 9th.

Chornenkyi said the hospital was the largest of its kind in the country, treating over 20,000 children per year – including specialized surgeries and cancer treatment.

According to the UN, 27 civilians, including four children, were killed in the attack, and another 117, including seven children, were injured.

“We decided as a community here to raise money for this hospital,” Chornenkyi said. “Today, our brothers and sisters are fighting to secure the independence of our land. We also have to secure the future for our kids.”

While the local event does not have a set fundraising goal, similar events across Canada aim to raise a combined million dollars to support the hospital.

The market will be held at St. Georges today from 11:00 to 2:00 and will include a food fair and vendor market, as well as games and activities for kids and families.

“99 percent of those people are refugees who are in Prince Geroge. It is home made food, very traditional to Ukraine. Some you are familiar with – borsht, perogies – some of them you are probably not so familiar,” Chornenkyi said. “People can enjoy traditional Ukrainian food, and in this way help us in our fight for freedom and independence, and support our kids who are struggling today the most.”

The war started around two and a half years ago – Chornenkyi also urged the Prince George community to not let what is happening slip to the back of their minds as time passes, and “to not only help on one day, but through the year as much as they can.”