YORKTON - A gathering for Yorktonites held in Calgary has made a donation to help Ukrainians settling in the local area after being displaced by the invasion of their homeland by Russian forces.
Larissa Danylchuk-Van Caeseele, with UCC Yorkton said the unexpected donation for $500 was made recently, adding it was raised in what is a longstanding reunion held in the Alberta city.
Duval (Duvy) Lang of Calgary is one of the people behind the event help last July.
The gatherings have been held periodically in Calgary for decades, spearheaded largely by Yorkton graduates dating back to 1967, he explained.
“There’s a helluva lot of Yorktonites living in the Calgary area,” he said adding many still have an interest “in celebrating all things Yorkton.”
The event last July was organized by Lang, Stuart Yaholnitsky, Jim Gibney, Susan Jarett (formerly Nesteransky), and Wee Lee.
The day attracted more than 90 coming from Vancouver to Ottawa, and through the day ticket sales on ‘Yorkton swag’ donated by Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley and Councillor Randy Goulden, and money left over after paying for the hall, DJ and meal, $500 remained.
Initially, “we didn’t know what to do with it. But we wanted to donate it back to something in Yorktown ... So let’s find a good cause in Yorkton,” said Lang.
Since many involved had “Ukrainian blood in their veins,” or knew people that did it became obvious the money could be well used to help new arrivals, said Lang, adding UCC Yorkton can help those needing a little “help setting up.”
Lang said there remains interest to gather again, and it will happen “but it might be a couple of years.”
