ABOUT THE FEST
This festival is hosted by the non-profit organization Ukrainian Community of Lanark County in Carleton Place, in partnership with Capital Ukrainian Festival, Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Shrine, CYM. We rely on the generosity of the community and our partners to bring this important event to life. Please support the festival by visiting our GoFundMe page. All proceeds will be donated to the development of the Lanark County Ukrainian Festival.
OUR STORY
The story of our festival, like many interesting stories, started in a garage. Exactly. It was a garage sale organized by Gloria Bradley in spring 2023 in Carleton Place, Ontario.
Initially aimed at supporting Ukrainian families displaced by war, the garage sale garnered significant funds that were successfully transferred to the Ukrainians in Carleton Place.
Inspired by this act of goodwill, the Ukrainian community in Carleton Place decided to express their gratitude by organizing the 1st Ukrainian Fest in Lanark County on that money. The purpose of the festival was twofold: to show appreciation to the Canadians who had helped Ukrainians settle in their new home, and to raise more funds to assist others in need.
The festival proved to be a resounding success, with generous contributions enabling 50 children from the Kharkiv region in Ukraine to receive Christmas gifts.
This heartwarming chain of good intentions continues to grow, with the 2nd Ukrainian Fest in Lanark County on the horizon. It promises to be even bigger and better than the first. Building on the success of the previous festival, we are excited to invite you to join us in writing the next chapter of this inspiring story. We firmly believe that by uniting our efforts, we can multiply kindness and goodwill and make a significant impact on our world.
OUR MISSION
Our Ukrainian Fest is aiming to express gratitude to Canadian society via sharing of our heritage, where visitors can indulge in delicious Ukrainian cuisine, witness captivating performances of traditional music and dance, and admire the craftsmanship of Ukrainian arts and crafts.
We believe that by showcasing our traditions and values, we can foster cultural understanding and strengthen the bond between Canadians and Ukrainians.
Through our performances, exhibitions, and events, we aim to create a platform for dialogue and exchange, where people can learn about the beauty and resilience of Ukrainian culture.
Additionally, we are committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of Ukrainian children who have been impacted by the war.
By raising funds and partnering with charity organizations, we hope to provide them with the necessary resources and support to overcome the challenges they face.
We understand that the journey may be difficult, but we are determined to never give up on our efforts to make a difference.
Together, with the support of Canadians and Ukrainian Canadians, we can continue to share our rich cultural heritage and contribute to a brighter future for Ukraine.
CHARITY PROJECT 2023
In collaboration with the Kharkiv branch of the Rotary Club, our charity project for 2023 focused on assisting the "Children of Heroes" charity project. The primary objective was to support children who have lost one or both parents due to the war. To achieve this, we reached out to a representative from the Rotary Club who provided us with a list of 50 children in need.
We decided to organize a Christmas gift drive, where we asked each child to provide a wish list of items they desired. For every wish, we created a card with the child's name and their desired gift. These cards were then placed on a Wishes tree at our 1st Ukrainian Fest. The purpose of the tree was to allow anyone who wanted to help to see how they could contribute.
Through the generous support of individuals and organizations, we were able to gather presents for all 50 children. To ensure the gifts reached Ukraine, we partnered with Meest, who kindly offered us a 50% discount on all transportation expenses.
We are delighted to share a brief video report on this project, which showcases the impact it had on the children's lives.
CHARITY PROJECT 2024
The ongoing war in Ukraine has drastically affected many lives, destroying infrastructure and limiting access to essential services. According to UNICEF, as of July 2023, over 7.5 million children in Ukraine have been affected by the war, with more than 50% exhibiting symptoms of PTSD, over 1.5 million lacking access to quality education due to destroyed schools and insufficient teaching staff, and only 30% receiving necessary social and psychological support.
Among the most vulnerable are children, particularly orphans and those returned from deportation to Russia or occupied territories. Save Ukraine has successfully rescued 440 children, including 94 orphans. These children face severe challenges, including psychological trauma, disrupted education, and a lack of stable support systems.
Save Ukraine provides them with a comprehensive 3-month rehabilitation program designed to support the mental health of children and their gurardians who have been returned from Russian deportation and evacuated from occupied territories. It is crucial for addressing the mental health needs of children who have experienced significant trauma. By providing comprehensive and structured support, this program aims to stabilize, empower, and build long-term resilience in both the children and their families, enabling them to lead healthier, more stable lives. The program will be conducted at the Hope and Healing Center.
Let`s join our efforts to help Save Ukraine to restore hope and healing to these vulnerable children and their families!
