Ukraine humanitarian aid donation drive in Edmonton enters final stretch

Edmonton’s donation drive to provide humanitarian supplies for Ukrainians affected by Russia’s invasion has entered its final 24-hour stretch.

The drive organized by two former politicians – former MLA Thomas Lukaszuk and former premier Ed Stelmach – is collecting items for one last day on Wednesday.

All types of donations are still being accepted like medical supplies, wheelchairs, crutches, as well as hygiene products and diapers.

The goal is to fill a plane that’s arriving in Edmonton on March 28 and send the supplies to Ukraine via Poland. The organizers are hoping to help Ukrainians still at home, those in refugee sites and those in neighbouring countries.

“This is the least we can do. They need our help,” said one person who provided supplies on Monday.

“They need everything actually that they can survive in some way,” added another.

Donations are being collected at the Polish Hall in Edmonton on 104 Street. The last day to donate is Wednesday between 2p.m. and 7 p.m.

“There are children who are wounded, mothers, elders who have no access to these supplies because all the stores back home are empty,” said another person who donated on Monday.

Alberta businesses, groups get involved in campaign 

In addition to the drive, local businesses like Edmonton’s Therapyware – a company that provides children’s educational materials – are also chipping in to fill the plan with supplies.

“You see these children on the news, running, hiding. They are scared beyond belief,” said Therapyware owner Peggy Duncan.

Therapyware donated toys for children dealing with trauma, including kids with autism.

“If these products can reach the specific children with autism, that would be awesome,” said Duncan. “And that’s what my hope would be. If they reach other children, that’s amazing as well.”

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Another Edmonton-based campaign, YEG4Ukraine, is raising funds to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

“We are renting a number of vehicles that we’ll be utilizing to transport refugees,” said Tim Sousa from YEG4Ukraine. “And we’re also purchasing, just today (Monday) we closed our order on 500 tactical first aid kits so those are not just regular bandages, it’s more for war.”

The group raised $73,000 in two weeks with a fundraising campaign that included a live benefit concert.