A lot love for Ukraine: $28K raised within the South Okanagan – Okanagan | Globalnews.ca

A standing ovation was the end result to a “life-changing” go to to the South Okanagan for a gaggle of younger Calgary dancers.

However the actual beneficiaries of the reveals on the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver and the Cleland Theatre are a few of the tens of millions of Ukrainians now struggling for survival.

Whereas the ultimate figures are nonetheless being tabulated, greater than $28,000 was raised by means of the 1,000 Flights Out performances organized by the Ukraine Nightingale Mission (UNP).

That cash can be used to assist individuals escape the conflict zones and supply help for them as soon as they arrive within the South Okanagan.

Somebody who is aware of firsthand simply how necessary that’s, is Vitalina Varnytska, who arrived in Canada six months in the past together with her kids, daughter Vlada, 17, and son Ustym, 15.

Husband and father Oleg Varnystka remained behind and is now combating on the entrance strains towards the invading Russians.

The Ukrainian household attended each reveals final week.

“It was fantastic, I’m crying, it was simply so emotional to see the assistance from Canada and that Canada understands our scenario,” Vitalina stated after the ultimate present. “I see many individuals there who I do know and many individuals I don’t know.

“Everybody, they assist and it’s a really huge assist for Ukraine/ It was additionally very near our dwelling. We have now loads of dancing.”

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Each reveals have been sellouts and featured the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society and Ukrainian up to date singer Ihor Borden.

In line with Tryzub touring director John Stadnyk, the time right here for his dancers, all of their teenagers, was particularly transferring.

“I believe the 4 days for them was rather a lot emotionally; two sell-out reveals — each seat gone — and being properly acquired by the communities on the whole and the Nightingale individuals, they’ll discuss this journey ceaselessly,” stated Stadnyk, a Ukrainian descendant and a dancer himself.

“After they weren’t dancing, they have been shuttled round and doing picture shoots with sponsors who have been shining reward on all of them day lengthy and the Penticton present to present them a standing ovation, I believe it was emotionally overflowing.

“These children are considerably selfless; they prepare arduous and there’s not a million-dollar job on the finish of this. They do it for the love of dance and the love of tradition. I keep in mind as a result of I used to be that child.”

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Andy Frost, who, alongside along with his sister, Jennifer Martison, UNP co-chair, helped arrange the fundraiser, additionally had nothing however reward for the younger performers, and the outpouring of help from the communities.

“Of the entire issues we put these children by means of, they have been up for no matter we wished them to do; posing in purchasing carts, the again of vans, at wineries and delicatessens, they by no means complained as soon as,” stated Frost.

“We had 5 picture shoots the morning after the Oliver efficiency on the way in which to the resort in Penticton. These children have been troopers, they have been nearly as good because it will get.”

The dancers visited every of the sponsors in costume having to take their particular boots off every time they went exterior and alter garments to eat.

He added seeing children, new Ukrainians and Canadian kids, collectively on the reveals was an additional particular profit.

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“Younger individuals reaching out and sharing and interacting with one another, they’re those who’ve been broken probably the most … most doubtlessly by this battle,” he stated.

“They’re those who want all of the help and care we can provide them.”

Frost added the 4 days introduced an important consciousness to individuals of the South Okanagan of the challenges going through individuals in Ukraine and those that at the moment are right here.

For example, he pointed to the speedy actions organizers noticed coming from the group.

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“Inside 20 minutes of the primary article (Penticton Herald Ukraine sequence) being seen, the cellphone rang and it was a girl who learn the story and wished to purchase a BCAA membership for Vita (Vitalina Varnytska) that was a direct hit and we count on there can be extra,” stated Frost.

There have been additionally individuals who signed as much as volunteer with the UNP and made donations and he’s hoping there can be extra sooner or later.

“This want isn’t going to go away.”

For extra info, go to the UNP web site: ukrainenightingaleproject.ca

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