Ukrainian couple helps Ukrainian refugees furnish homes

Two Ukrainian expats have taken the initiative to help Ukrainian refugees in Saskatoon.

Vitaliy and Slava Kushnir have lived in Saskatchewan for 15 years after moving from Ukraine.

They own the Smak Ukrainian Store located on Idylwyld Drive, which is a Ukrainian food and culture store.

The Kushnirs were on Gormley on Wednesday to talk about how their storefront has been a benefit to the Ukrainian community.

The Kushnirs have been very involved in volunteer work since Russia first invaded Ukraine. The couple sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine with medical gear to begin.

“It’s not easy to watch when the fatherland is in trouble,” said Vitaliy. “If you are a normal Ukrainian-Canadian, you’d have the same reaction. We have to do some thing to help people in Ukraine.”

“We can’t just watch what is going on in Ukraine and do nothing,” added Slava. “We are doing whatever we can. We raised the awareness of war in Ukraine.”

For many Ukrainians who are new to Canada or permanently reside here, Smak Ukrainian Store has been a hub of information on how to help. The pair has been organizing furniture donations to help Ukrainians furnish vacant apartments when they get here.

“We are the connection between displaced Ukrainians and Canadians,” said Slava, “because many Canadians are asking ‘What can we do? How can we help?’ ”

Not only have they organized the donations, but they have organized where to store furniture from their own garage; it’s now filling up their friends’ and families’ garages. They have been using the app Viber that provides communication to organizers on where they can arrange an appointment to drop off used furniture.

“We want to help our friends, our relatives and our nation. When they come here, we try to do our best to support them with information,” said Slava.

They are now working with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Saskatoon branch, which is accepting donations. Furniture has been moved out of garages and into a temporary warehouse.

“When people are sleeping on the floor in an empty room, it bothers me,” said Vitaliy.

Vitaliy said driving around in his van delivering mattresses helps him sleep better at night.

“They are already having a bad time in Ukraine,” he said. “We would like to help them here not suffer anymore.”