We’re gathering welcome packages to help support Ukrainians (mostly women and children) to provide some comfort as they have often left with very few personal belongings.
We’re hosting the #emptyboxchallenge to help displaced Ukrainians by engaging our community to filling a box with essential and comfort items. We kindly ask that all boxes be filled with new products. Volunteers from the Ukraine-Canada Foundation will match the donated goods to a Ukrainian arriving at YVR.
To start preparing your welcome kit for the #emptyboxchallenge, download the Shopping List here.
We first learned about the #emptyboxchallenge when a member of the community asked if we could provide storage space for some welcome kits she was collecting and donating. We decided, not only can we provide space—we can scale this initiative up.
Activate your company, your community, your family and friends, and gather what you can and fill an empty box. Drop it off to YVR at the Graham Clarke Atrium, curbside on our departures level on June 14 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Bring a donation and we’ll give you a voucher to redeem pierogis at Old Country Pierogi Food Truck, who will be joining us at the donation collection.
Monetary donations are also welcome. DONATE HERE to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.In preparation for displaced Ukrainians arriving at YVR, we added both Ukrainian and Russian languages to our Border Kiosks with the support of Canada Border Services Agency to help facilitate a welcoming and more efficient experience.
We have been working with the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) to operate in our airport to support displaced Ukrainians arriving at YVR. Their mission here is to support people who are arriving from Ukraine on a 3-year working visa and are not eligible for some programs typically provided to refugees. The CRC registers those arriving into the right government systems—like provincial healthcare, provide psycho-social supports and connect them to United Way and volunteer led Ukrainian-Canadian Congress, who have been very busy coordinate immediate and long term support—from food and accommodation, clothing and rides from the airport. Families and individuals that have left Ukraine have faced unimaginable challenges with an uncertain future, but we can ensure they feel welcome and are given the essentials as they settle into life in Canada.