A Dinner for Ukraine

Residents and staff of Highlands have shown compassion and concern over the horrific events happening in Ukraine.  As a retirement community far away from the conflict, we all felt the need to act and to support.  During one of our activity events “Story Telling”, a conversation turned to a story about some beautiful red dance boots, the prized possession of a lovely young woman named Tianna, one of our Highland’s staff members.  Tianna has been practicing Ukrainian Dance in celebrating her cultural heritage for years.  At the next tea time “Show and Tell” she brought in her beautiful red dance boots to show residents, which opened up many cultural conversations. One of our residents asked if she would dance one day for us and our lovely Tianna replied “I would love to!”

As residents were sharing and discussing the war in Ukraine, on how to mentally deal with watching the dreadful images live on TV and how to handle the helplessness we were all feeling, our resident named Verda, mentioned to our Manager she had seen a local TV piece about the Kelowna Ukrainian Church selling traditional Ukrainian food, to raise money for refugees coming to Kelowna, from war-torn Ukraine.  Verda asked if this may something Highlands Community could contribute and participate in, by possibly organizing a Ukrainian dinner. With some management research and organizing help from Tianna and the great people at the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of Saints Peter and Paul, they were very happy to help, by selling us their traditional foods, so we can support their fundraising.  Our “Dinner for Ukrainian”, is on Friday, April 22 and we will feed over 65 residents and staff members.

We all saw a great event and opportunity for this dinner to raise more awareness and as a further fundraiser, by also having Tianna and the Dolyna Ukrainian Dance Group dance and perform in their traditional costumes and red boots, for the Highlands residents after the dinner.  Everyone is thrilled and very excited about the event! 

Our “Dinner for Ukraine” has evolved into this wonderful evening of delicious food, amazing entertainment, and through word of mouth, a fundraiser supported by our residents, their families, the staff and management, as well as our corporate colleagues and friends of Highlands Retirement Residence.  We thank all those supporting this endeavour, through their donations, their time and participation towards helping Ukraine Humanitarian and Relief efforts from within our Highlands Community.

Please continue to help and support the Canada - Ukraine Foundation or donate online at cufoundation.ca

It all started with a beautiful pair of red dance boots and we raised $10440.60.

Contributed By:  Lisa Kenzie, Activities Coordinator at Highlands Retirement Residence