Calgary support societies work together to provide welcome for Ukrainians
A number of community groups, dedicated to helping immigrants to Calgary, are now working together to collect donations for Ukrainian refugees.
This weekend, the Dashmesh Culture Centre Gurdwara Sahib Calgary is collaborating with the Centre for Newcomers and the Calgary East Zone Newcomers Collaborative for a campaign to help with the Ukraine crisis.
“They’ve been through the tough times,” said Amanpreet Gill, the president of Dashmesh Culture Centre. “as Sikhs we believe in brother and sisterhood, and on humanitarian grounds we’re just here to help.”
However, the centre is encouraging all Calgarians to help with their work.
“We’re just trying to share that message that we’re all one, that we should all work together,” said Raj Sidhu, the director of operations at the Dashmesh Culture Centre.
"Please come to Dashmesh at 135 Martindale Blvd. N.E. between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to drop off your donations of new clothing and blankets, grocery gift cards, non-perishable food items, cooking utensils, school supplies, books or toys," the Centre for Newcomers said on Facebook Friday.
Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country so far as the Russian invasion of the country continues. Many of those refugees have entered Poland.
Meanwhile, Russia is being accused of deliberating firing at civilians, with the latest such attack reportedly killing 52 people and injuring more than 100 more at a train station in Kramatorsk.
The Centre for Newcomers says it’s unclear how many Ukrainians will be relocating to Canada, but whether its hundreds or thousands, they will be prepared.
“We are just expecting as many Ukrainian families as possible,” said Rabah Swaidek, the director of fund development at the Centre for Newcomers. “(We want) to be able to help support them, and whatever we have that’s left can go to other newcomers that are here, or just the community that’s in need.”
Monetary donations are also welcome. Full details about how to donate can be found online.
(With files from the Associated Press)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.