Thursday, October 3, 2024
Local Gardener

Sunflowers for Ukraine

Sunflowers are Ukraine’s National flower.

Many young men, fathers and grandfathers have left their families behind, picked up arms to defend Ukraine against the Russian invasion. Many women, grandmothers and children have fled the country or are huddled in subways or bomb shelters. Many have left their homes, pets and lifelong memories, others have lost their homes and nothing to return to.

SunflowersforUkraine.ca is encouraging residents and businesses to plant sunflowers and to raise funds to help Ukrainians.

Funds raised will go to the Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF) who are working to complete several projects and others, with continued financial support.  And you can help!

Some current projects are the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, whereas the Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian congress (UCC) has launched a campaign to raise $5 million dollars to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia.  Total donations to date are over $2.3 million; their Medical Mission in Ukraine have been popularised on CTV’s W5 and CUF has sponsored five missions; New Branches for Dzherelo in Lviv program – Children’s Rehab centre is expanding and developing its programming for children with special needs to other areas of need.

Sunflowers for Ukraine came about after seeing on MSNBC a report when a woman confronted by a heavily-armed Russian soldier, offered him sunflower seeds so that they might bloom when he dies.

Brave women carefully put sunflowers paired with blue flowers symbolic of the Ukrainian flag being blue and yellow in their hair. The darkness in the middle of the sunflower represents sadness while the bright yellow petals are the possibility for happiness and sunshine.

Many of us are feeling empty and helpless wondering, what can we do.

LET’S PLANT SUNFLOWERS TO BE A MESSENGER FOR PEACE AND DONATE WHAT YOU CAN TO THE CANADA UKRAINE FOUNDATION.

PLANT A”SUNFLOWERS FOR UKRAINE” GARDEN

Calling all gardeners and non-gardeners to take part in the Sunflowers for Ukraine initiative.
Our goal is to have individuals, businesses, groups and organizations commit to planting a
“Sunflowers for Ukraine” garden.

Commit to planting a “Sunflowers for Ukraine” garden and register your planting on SunflowersforUkraine.ca

SUNFLOWERS…A MESSENGER FOR PEACE!

Email: [email protected]

Helen Keller said…
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It’s what the sunflowers do.”