Anna Vartanyan was comfortable to place a present underneath the Christmas tree that can lastly make its technique to a Ukrainian child in a particular ceremony on Tuesday evening.
“Each youngster desires to have a gift, particularly at Christmas,” stated Vartanian, who fled the struggle in Ukraine together with his household. “It’s a very magical day for all the kids.
It is a full-circle second for the mom of three, who herself was the recipient of the items after fleeing her house in war-torn Ukraine in 2022.
Now dwelling in Kelowna, she remembers properly the way it felt to obtain items for her youngsters.
“It’s totally useful, it’s extremely useful and great,” she advised World Information.
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The items collected underneath the tree are for a toy drive began three years in the past by a grassroots group known as ‘Hearts and Palms 4 Ukraine’.
“The struggle began in Ukraine and we thought they don’t have any household, they’ve nobody right here, so why not allow us to be their household,” stated an emotional Mohini Singh, one of many founders of the group.
A pre-Christmas get together at a personal house drew about 150 individuals hoping to brighten the vacations for the newcomers, a lot of whom have members of the family nonetheless in war-torn Ukraine.
“All it’s a must to do is hearken to the information and see what’s taking place in Ukraine and individuals who come listed here are fleeing and plenty of of them include little or no,” Gary Campbell stated. Those that attended the occasion and donated toys since then began it
“And you recognize that is Canada. We wish to assist individuals.”
This 12 months, the toy drive will assist roughly 200 Ukrainian youngsters within the Central Okanagan.
Singh stated the Christmas tree is filled with presents. “It actually represents the spirit of Kelowna, the kindness and generosity of the individuals of this metropolis.”
Vartanian stated she is going to always remember the nice and cozy welcome her household gave her after arriving in Kelowna.
“Very welcoming as a result of once you come to a brand new nation you do not know the individuals and also you see a gaggle of people who find themselves very supportive, who wish to assist,” Vartanian stated.
Assistance is vital in occasions of disaster — and particularly at Christmas when feelings run excessive for a lot of.
Those that missed the occasion however nonetheless wish to donate a toy can accomplish that on the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish at 1935 Barley Street in Kelowna.