The Dauphin Co-op made two $5,000 donations yesterday thanks to Federated Co-op Limited’s Co-op Helps program. The program matches donations made by a Co-op, up to $5,000, for both disaster relief, and community response.
The first donation was to the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund, and the second was to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. General Manager Lorne Eiffert says the Dauphin Co-op is the first in Western Canada to receive funds from this program.
"We couldn't be happier to have applied for the program, to be supported by Federated Co-op, and to issue the cheques out to the community here."
The Family Fund has been steadily growing and has now been able to welcome even more families to the area. President of the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre Jim Perchaluk says they're now getting ready to welcome their 17th family to Dauphin.
"My understanding is that there are planes of people arriving in Canada, families are looking for places to go, and word is getting around that Dauphin is one of the spots where people have been very well received in the community."
Perchaluk says that the fund will continue to support as many families as possible, as long as they have the means to do so.
"Many of the people that have come have obtained jobs in the community, hardworking individuals, and just a great fit, not only for us receiving them but for the people that are coming here. So we're just very appreciative of the response that our community has been able to provide for the Ukrainian people that have experienced loss in their country."
You can get more information about the Fund, including how to donate, by calling Larry at 204-648-5904, or Karen at 204-648-3567.
