The tense crisis in Ukraine weighs on the mind of many Canadians, and it definitely impacts local residents who have a connection to Ukraine.
For one local family, they want to raise awareness about adopting from the Ukraine, and are currently collecting donations to send to orphanages.
Marcel and Kym van Staveren are parents to four children, Alexander, age 15; Oksana, age 15; Nathan, age 12; and Alina, age 12. Three of their children were adopted from Ukraine.
The family is working together to collect donations for "Oksana's Harvest", a non-profit Canadian Ukrainian Orphan Outreach that travels to the Ukraine several times a year to minister and deliver gifts to children in several orphanages.
Marcel and Kym started their adoption story in 2003, when they adopted Nathan from the Ukraine when he was 18 months old. Then in September of 2013, they decided to adopt again.
"We decided to adopt older children," explained Kym, noting that it is often harder for older children to be adopted.
To continue their adoption story, Marcel and Kym arrived in Ukraine on May 11, 2014. From there they had an appointment at the SDA government office. After two hours of looking through files they found Oksana and Alina's file.
"We were aware that Oksana would graduate from the orphanage in 2015, and would have the option to leave or stay at the orphanage for two more years," explained Kym.
Marcel spent one week in Ukraine and Kym was there for seven weeks. "It was very difficult being in a area where no English was spoken and away from family back in Canada, I made friends with the local people and spent my days at the orphanage," recalls Kym.
"The orphanage was quite nice, and we were quite impressed. They had the children helping out with horticultural crops, and keeping the yard up," said Marcel.
Kym returned to Canada with Oksana and Alina on June 28, 2014. They had to work through some growing pains as a family but overall everything has been very good.
"Oksana and Alina had a difficult time leaving their friends behind in the orphanage; the children live like a 'pack' and take care of each other," explained Kym.
Both Oksana and Alina are fiercely proud of their Ukrainian heritage, and want to provide some of the simple things that aren't provided to their friends that are still at the orphanage.
They are now collecting these gifts and with the help of "Oksana's Harvest", the gifts will be delivered to Ukraine.
There is a list of items that would be most appreciated: fleece pyjamas, small fleece blankets, shampoos and conditioner, feminine products, soap, nail polish, perfume, lotion, warm socks, mittens, toques, bouncy balls, Hacky Sacks, boys and girls underwear, facecloths and small teddy bears.
Mayor Debra Button had taken the first round of donations to Ukraine, when she left for the country on Nov. 9, as part of her responsibilities for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
If anyone is not able to purchase a gift, a monetary donation can be made and will be used towards improvements to the orphanages. All cheques can be written out to "Oksana"s Harvest". Donations can also be dropped off at Dynasty Hair Designs, on Third Street, or Kym or Marcel can pick them up.
A official tax donation receipt will be mailed for any donations and "Oksana's Harvest" will not charge administrative fees. "Oksana's Harvest" will help out with future donations and will ensure donations are given directly to the children.
Letters and messages of encouragement are accepted for Oksana and Alina's friends. The girls will translate the letters to Russian and put one of their friends' names on the letter.
Dynasty Hair Designs will have a Angels for Orphans tree displayed at the Family Place "Festival of Trees". Debra Button has picked up authentic Ukrainian decorations for the tree. The tree will be displayed at the "Festival of Trees" in honor of orphans in Ukraine.
Residents who want to learn more about Oksana's Harvest can visit their website at: www.ukraineorphanoutreach.org.
