Saskatchewan farmers host auction, raise $24,000 for Ukraine

With roughly 13 per cent of Saskatchewan’s population claiming ties to Ukraine, it’s no wonder people continue to find ways to help the country torn apart by war.

The latest effort comes from a group of farmers in central Saskatchewan.

Rob Harasymchuk at INC Cattle Company in Cudworth can trace his family lineage back to Lviv, Ukraine. That area, just west of the Polish border, has served as a base for humanitarian aid since Russia’s invasion began in February.

He said it didn’t take much convincing for partners in the Leading Edge Speckle Park Breeders group to participate in a fundraiser.

“I put a message out to our group and within seconds, everyone was on board,” he explained.

The group consists of INC, Green Hills Livestock from the Blaine Lake area, Highmark Speckle Parks in Hague, and Teravena Acres near Saskatoon.

“We just couldn’t stand by and not try to help these poor people — the horror that’s going on in Ukraine right now,” Harasymchuk said. “We all donated some really top-end frozen genetics.”

The auction during the Easter long weekend brought in nearly $24,000.

Harasymchuk said after the auction ended, people continued to reach out and donate more money to help.

“People are struggling but they’re still giving everything they can,” he said.

Now the group is working with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to make sure the money goes to those who need it most.

“All this money, every cent that we can, (will go to) everything from blankets to food and diapers to the people of Ukraine,” Harasymchuk said.

Harasymchuk isn’t ruling out more fundraising in the future, but for now, he said people can reach out to him directly at INC Cattle Company to pitch in.