Sunday vigil planned in Saskatoon to honour civilian casualties in Ukraine

By Drew Stremick

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is holding a vigil at Saskatoon City Hall on Sunday to mourn the deaths of civilians killed during the war in Ukraine.

Kevin Kardynal of the Saskatoon branch of the UCC says the event will help community members come together and express their emotions.

“People are just looking for an outlet,” Kardynal said Friday. “We want to provide that for them and show our support for Ukraine and for those victims and also provide a way for people to learn how they can help with people fleeing the war.”

Kardynal says the UCC has taken in around $50,000 in donations so far since the conflict began and has made donations to support many different causes across Ukraine.

“The community in Saskatoon has been just amazing,” Kardynal said. “We started sending money to numerous places in Ukraine. We’ve sent $5,000 to a children’s hospital in Kyiv, and we’ve sent another $10,000 to a group that’s making self-defence equipment.”

Other ways the UCC has helped includes buying a machine to be used for blood donors in Ukraine.

Kardynal says the UCC is trying to make sure the money it has collected is making the biggest impact.

“We’re flexible in where we’re giving the money. We’re just trying to help provide money to where it’s needed most,” he said.

Kardynal said the UCC is also ensuring people coming to Saskatchewan from Ukraine receive help as well.

“(The UCC has) received funding from the provincial government to provide what they call settlement services for displaced persons coming to Saskatchewan,” he said.

The vigil Sunday is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.