2024 CUF-UCC Winterization Campaign Brings Warmth to Thousands Across Ukraine
As winter blankets Ukraine in snow, we are filled with profound gratitude for your extraordinary support of our CUF-UCC Winterization Campaign. Thanks to your generosity and the remarkable matching pledges from the Myhal Family Foundation and the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, we have raised over $2.3 million to help Ukrainians face another challenging winter with dignity and hope.
Your contributions have enabled us to launch comprehensive winterization initiatives across Ukraine, reaching those most in need. In the eastern regions, including Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhya, our partner “Be Free” distributed more than 1,950 wood-burning stoves and 1,450 essential power kits, each containing a power bank, solar battery, and USB flashlight, thanks to this year’s Winterization campaign. These vital supplies are helping families maintain warmth and light during frequent power outages caused by Russia’s deliberate attacks on energy infrastructure.
The campaign’s impact extends far beyond heating solutions. With your donations, our partner Podilska Perlyna is able to distribute 1,375 beds, and 875 mattresses and bedding sets to ensure comfortable sleeping arrangements for internally displaced families.
In partnership with Medical Mercy Canada, CUF has funded the delivery of food and supplies, clothing, blankets, and stoves to 19 villages in the Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions, where access to basic necessities remains challenging. Funding was also allocated to initiatives such as blood transfusion training & kits, virtual consultations with doctors, as well as training for firefighters in bleeding control and technical rope rescue.
Education hasn’t been forgotten – through Finn Church Aid, we’ve supported schools in Kharkiv and Chernihiv with charging stations, LED lights, and thermal equipment, helping children continue their studies despite the harsh conditions.
In Dnipropetrovsk, we’ve funded Daruj Dobro’s establishment of a year-long food support program of 3,500 units for internally displaced persons, while City of Goodness’ crisis shelters have received financial support for crucial supplies including generator fuel, food, medicines, and hygiene products.
With the help of charitable foundation Mamay, ambulances in the Kherson region were outfitted with 37 solar-power stations from Ukraine-based New Use Energy. The Association Internationale De Cooperation Medicale (AICM) is delivering 50 units of essential intermediate equipment for surgery and emergencies, such as ECGs and defibrillators, to hospitals in eastern Ukraine.
The scope of our support has truly been nationwide, touching communities from Lviv to Zaporizhzhia, and from Sumy to Odesa. Working with trusted partners like Podilska Perlyna, “Be Free”, Finn Church Aid, and other local organizations, we’ve ensured that aid reaches those who need it most—efficiently and effectively.
Looking ahead, while our Winterization campaign has concluded, the need for humanitarian aid in Ukraine continues. Many of our initiatives will run through the spring providing sustained support to communities. The challenges remain significant, but your generosity has helped create warm, safe spaces where families can find comfort and hope. We invite you to continue supporting these vital efforts by donating and sharing our mission with your networks.
From all of us at the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, thank you for standing with Ukraine and helping to keep families warm this winter.
Background
CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.
The Myhal Family Foundation was created by George and Rayla Myhal to assist in supporting causes within Canada that are Health and Education based. The foundation has worked with numerous hospitals in the GTA as well as educational institutions to help support, create and upgrade existing facilities and programs for the betterment of Canadians as a whole. Their work with the Ukrainian community has been extensive.