An extraordinary expression of faith, generosity, and solidarity with Ukrainians displaced by war
The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg has concluded its Kharkiv Aid fundraising campaign with an inspiring result: $112,643.65 raised to support people affected by the ongoing war, particularly internally displaced people in Kharkiv and the surrounding region of Ukraine. What began on August 10, 2026, as an appeal to fund a semi-truckload of food and essential supplies became a remarkable demonstration of compassion, far surpassing the original goal of $30,000.
The initiative arose from a firsthand encounter with the urgent humanitarian needs in Kharkiv. During a visit to Poltava and Kharkiv on July 18–21, Most Rev. Andriy Rabiy, auxiliary bishop of Winnipeg, met with Bishop Vasyl Tuchapets, Exarch of Kharkiv, and volunteers serving families forced to flee their homes because of the war. Their stories revealed the immense challenges facing displaced people, particularly as winter approached.
Today, thousands continue to depend on humanitarian assistance for basic necessities. Every Thursday, between 1,500 and 2,000 people gather at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Kharkiv seeking help with food, medicine, clothing, footwear, and other essential items. Behind these numbers are families who have lost their homes, parents striving to care for their children, and elderly people facing uncertainty and hardship.
In response, the faithful of the Archeparchy, together with parishes, organizations, and individual donors, united in a common mission of Christian charity. Through parish collections, special fundraising initiatives, personal contributions, and many other acts of support, the original goal was exceeded more than threefold.
The Archeparchy extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who made this campaign possible. We thank the parishes and their clergy, parishioners, organizations, individual donors, volunteers, and all who helped by organizing fundraising events, sharing the appeal, encouraging others to contribute, or offering their prayers. Every gift, regardless of its size, became part of this extraordinary collective response. This achievement belongs to all who opened their hearts and gave generously.
As St. Paul reminds us, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The remarkable generosity shown throughout this campaign is a powerful witness to our Christian faith and to the enduring bonds of solidarity between Ukrainian Catholics in Canada and our brothers and sisters suffering in Ukraine. It reminds us that even when we cannot bring an end to the suffering caused by war, we can bring relief, restore dignity, and offer hope through concrete acts of love.
Our Lord tells us, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Through this initiative, the faithful have put these words into action, ensuring that those most affected by war are not forgotten.
May the Lord bless every donor, volunteer, parish, and organization that contributed to this effort. May He reward your generosity, strengthen those who continue to serve the displaced, and grant peace to Ukraine. May the Mother of God, under her protection of the Ukrainian people, intercede for all who suffer and for a just and lasting peace.
The work continues. The full $112,643.65 raised has already been sent to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) for transfer to Bishop Vasyl Tuchapets in Kharkiv. Bishop Vasyl and his team of volunteers at St. Nicholas Cathedral will begin preparing a list of the essential items most urgently needed by internally displaced people in Kharkiv and the surrounding region. The funds will be used to purchase food and other necessities locally in Ukraine, allowing assistance to reach those in need as directly and effectively as possible.
The fundraising campaign may have ended, but the mission of Christian compassion continues. Together, through faith, generosity, and prayer, we have helped turn solidarity into tangible assistance and given hope a practical expression.
Thank you for standing with Kharkiv. May God bless you all!
With heartfelt gratitude to our donors
The following list recognizes the parishes, organizations, and individuals whose generosity helped make this campaign a success.
Parishes
$16,635.00 Holy Family (Winnipeg)
$8,060.00 Protection of BVM (BVM, Winnipeg)
$7,935.00 St. Anne (Winnipeg)
$5,885.00 St. Basil (Winnipeg)
$5,540.00 St. Andrew (Winnipeg)
$5,145.00 Immaculate Conception (Cooks Creek)
$5,000.00 Cathedral of Sts. Volodymyr & Olha (Winnipeg)
$3,640.00 Holy Resurrection (Dauphin)
$3,495.00 Sts. Peter & Paul (Winnipeg)
$2,400.00 Protection of BVM (Rossdale)
$1,820.00 Holy Eucharist (West Selkirk)
$1,600.00 St. Elias (Grandview)
$1,580.00 Assumption (Russell)
$1,450.00 Nativity of BVM (Brandon)
$1,395.00 Holy Eucharist (Winnipeg)
$1,350.00 St. Nicholas (Winnipeg)
$1,310.00 Holy Ascension (Winnipegosis)
$1,300.00 Holy Ghost (Beausejour)
$1,045.97 St. Michael (Transcona)
$920.00 Assumption (Portage)
$920.00 St. George (Alonsa)
$680.68 All Saints of Ukraine (Morden)
$590.00 St. John the Baptist (Horyn)
$510.00 Ascension of Our Lord (Minnedosa)
$510.00 Sacred Heart (Gimli)
$500.00 Sacred Heart (Rossburn)
$450.00 Holy Redeemer (Roblin)
$450.00 Sts. Peter & Paul (Ethelbert)
$400.00 Sacred Heart (Gilbert Plains)
$370.00 Holy Trinity (Mink Creek)
$300.00 St. John the Baptist (Fork River)
$300.00 Sts. Peter & Paul (Rorketon)
$200.00 St. Nicholas (Keld)
Organizations
$3,000.00 Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada – Manitoba
$1,000.00 Knights of Columbus Canon Luhovy Council (Winnipeg)
$1,000.00 Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada – Cathedral (Winnipeg)
$1,000.00 Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada – St. Anne (Winnipeg)
$500.00 Knights of Columbus Filipow Council (Winnipeg)
$500.00 Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada – Holy Eucharist (Winnipeg)
$200.00 Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada – Sacred Heart (Gimli)
$100.00 Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada – Sacred Heart (Gimli)
Individual Donors
$2,000.00 Archbishop
$2,000.00 Kowch, Rev. Taras & Maria
$1,198.00 Dr. John K.
$1,000.00 Natasha M.
$1,000.00 Brent & Donna S.
$1,000.00 Randal S.
$1,000.00 Archbishop
$1,000.00 Murray & Patricia T.
$1,000.00 Theodore Y.
$500.00 Brent E.
$500.00 Basil & Judy G.
$500.00 Elaine M.
$500.00 Christine W.
$426.00 Drs. William & Mary C.
$300.00 Thomas & Donna B.
$300.00 Orest H.
$300.00 Helen L., J.
$300.00 Helen M.
$300.00 Henry & Judy S.
$300.00 Joan S.
$250.00 Diane B.
$250.00 Deacon Richard & Tara R.
$200.00 Alexis A.
$200.00 Susan A.
$200.00 Norman D.
$200.00 Mark G.
$200.00 Maria K.
$200.00 Christie & Ronald K.
$200.00 Bob & Loraine L.
$200.00 RJ M.
$200.00 Walter N.
$200.00 Carol S.
$200.00 William w.
$150.00 Olga B.
$150.00 Joan C.
$150.00 Christine W.
$150.00 Kate Z.
$100.00 Greg B.
$100.00 Josephine B.
$100.00 Laura C.
$100.00 Yaroslav C.
$100.00 Darlene D.
$100.00 Duane D.
$100.00 Caroline D.
$100.00 Anne F.
$100.00 Daniel F.
$100.00 Jeannette G.
$100.00 John K.
$100.00 Marilyn K.
$100.00 Gerhard K.
$100.00 Eileen K.
$100.00 Geraldine L.
$100.00 Cycelia L.
$100.00 Peter N.
$100.00 Victoria O.
$100.00 Andrea S.
$100.00 Kathleen W.
$100.00 Christopher W.
$100.00 Dianna Z.
$70.00 Darlen K. & Kelly S.
$53.00 Barbara P.
$50.00 Irene A.
$50.00 Bernadette B.
$50.00 Darrell C.
$50.00 John H.
$50.00 Linda & Ray K.
$50.00 Elaine K.
$50.00 Mykola K.
$50.00 Oleksiy K.
$50.00 Lawrence S.
$50.00 Maurice S.
$50.00 Vasyl V.
$35.00 Unknown
$25.00 Phillip G.
The Archeparchy of Winnipeg gratefully acknowledges every contribution and every act of support
offered in the spirit of Christian charity.
