The generosity of Yukoners’ is a driving force behind a donation that will be delivered to Ukraine in March.
Two members of the Ukrainian Association of the Yukon will be driving a Volkswagen T5 medical evacuation vehicle that was sourced in Europe, between March 10 and 12 to Chortkiv, Ukraine, Whitehorse’s newest sister city. The 4x4 will be filled with antibiotics from Health Partners International Canada, equipment from the Yukon Hospital Corporation and the department of Health and Social Services, along with radios, laptops and other items donated by Yukoners.
“As this is our third mission into Ukraine, we wanted to get everything right,” association president Jeff Sloychuk said in a statement. “We have pinpointed the exact humanitarian and military needs through ongoing discussions with our Ukrainian partners from Chortkiv to Yuzhnoukrains’k, and are excited to get in and out safely, with pride and great purpose.”
Sloychuk and association board member Taras Yurkiv will be delivering the vehicle.
The statement noted that as with previous missions, UCAY will be delivering critical antibiotics to the Yuzhnoukrains’k Municipal Hospital in Central Ukraine through its partnership with HPIC.
A partnership with the Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society yielded the funds to buy the medical evacuation vehicle.
“We very much look forward to the next visit by our Yukon family, and especially their delivery of a critical item - an evacuation vehicle capable of reaching the roughest of roads near the front lines,” Chortkiv Mayor Volodymyr Shmatko said in the statement. “We thank the residents of our newest sister city of Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, for their generous hearts, and indeed all the Yukon for their spirit. With friends like you, Ukraine will win.”
Yukoners looking to donate to the cause - including the purchase of additional supplies, gear and gas money - can drop off needed items at the North End Gallery in Horwoods Mall in Whitehorse during regular business hours. The fundraising campaign can be accessed at www.afterthefireisout.com/yukon-ukraine
“We still need more basic stuff that we know Yukoners can deliver,” Sloychuk said. “Waterproof or winter boots with removable liners, drones, tablets, laptops and battery packs, and even older digital cameras and cell phones are still on the list. Sadly, we can’t bring ammunition or surface-to-air missiles, but we hope Yukoners are speaking with friends in government or in the United States to help that support reach Ukraine also.”
Contact Stephanie Waddell at stephanie.waddell@yukon-news.com
