Ukrainian students get head start with school supply donation by Saskatoon charity
With less than a month to go until kids return to school, Nettie Cherniatenski is packing school bags for Ukrainian students at Baba’s Closet.
When the Russian invasion started in February, she says she heard a calling to help.
“I knew I had to answer it and I just went,” said Cherniatenski. “Whether anybody said no, I didn’t listen. I just kept going. I started in my garage, three (or) four days later it was moving and blossoming so fast. I didn’t know what was happening, but I knew I had to get someplace bigger and better.”
Thanks to her organizational skills and the generosity of hundreds of locals, relocated Ukrainian families have been stopping in at Baba’s Closet to pick up necessities for their new homes and the upcoming school year.
From bedding to dishes, books and even games, families can get a little more settled in their new lives.
Two youngsters being hosted by Eugene Kucey have already been to school.
“They were actually fortunate enough to get into school at the end of June for about two weeks. So, they know where they’re going already,” said Kucey. “They’re going to Bishop Filevich. They’re enjoying the holidays yet, so we can't talk about school too much yet.”
Kucey says the boys are making the most of the warm weather by staying active.
“Oh they love basketball,” said Kucey. “They’re good in basketball, and soccer. They call it football.”
For Cherniatenski, the stories of the families escaping war are heart-wrenching.
“I really felt sorry for a boy of 17 who spent two months at Warsaw at the camp with his mom escaping the war,” she said. “And I looked at him and I thought, I have a son, what would I do if I had to leave him behind to fight?”
Bringing smiles to their faces makes the effort worth it for Cherniatenski.
“We’re one big family. This isn’t just Ukrainian, it is one big family. We’re all God’s children,” she said.
Once the fall weather arrives, she hopes to start a winter clothing drive.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING 14 suspects arrested in grandparent scam targeting seniors across Canada: Ontario police
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.