The calming countryside of the Smiths Falls area is now a home away from home for a Ukrainian mom and her two daughters who arrived in Canada on Monday evening, July 18 touching down in Montreal.
The family is spending its first few days settling in and getting to know their local host family. They are the first of four family units expected to come to the area through the efforts of the Smiths Falls Welcomes Ukraine Committee. Mark Czubak, committee chair, said he expects all Ukrainian families to be co-habitating with their host families by October 2022.
“We’re right in the middle of it”, Czubak said.
He was speaking to Brenda Paquette, CSC client services coordinator and Anne Pedro, nursing co-ordinator of Bayshore Home Care Solutions in Smiths Falls, on July 18, moments after accepting a $2,062 donation for the committee. Czubak thanked both women who raised the funds through a yard sale, barbeque and basket raffle (with donations from local businesses).
“If others were inspired to do the same, even by 25 per cent, that would be great”, Czubak said.
All funds being raised go directly to the families supported in the Smiths Falls area. Funds are used to purchase plane tickets, provide for daily needs, transportation, etc. Every Ukrainian family is being welcomed to the community with a welcome basket that includes an event brochure, check list of things to do in the first few months (documents, etc), journals, pens and gift cards for essentials.
Volunteers will be mobilized in the coming weeks and months to help our new Ukrainian neighbours however they are needed. For further updates on Smiths Falls Welcomes Ukraine please visit our Facebook page of the same name or our website: www.smithsfallswelcomesukraine.com.
