Image: L. Gomes / PML / Chilliwack Sunflower Festival hosted Ukrainian Day on Thursday, August 25.

By Laurice Gomes

Ukrainian Day

Chilliwack Sunflower Festival shows solidarity by hosting Ukrainian Day

Aug 26, 2022 | 6:00 AM

CHILLIWACK — Ukraine’s national flower is the sunflower, and what better way for Chilliwack’s very own Sunflower Festival to show its solidarity with the eastern European nation?

Kate Onos-Gilbert, owner/operator of the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival, said all proceeds from ticket sales on Thursday, Aug. 25, will be donated to the H.E.R.O Society, a non-profit that has responded to the Ukraine humanitarian crisis.

“Sunflowers are obviously important to us as a festival, as it’s our main thing,” said Onos-Gilbert. “So, we want to celebrate Ukraine and give them our support and have sunflowers as a backdrop.”

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Ukrainian Day at the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival grounds (Thursday, August 25).

The eastern European nation celebrated Independence Day on Wednesday, August 24; it also marked six months since the Russian invasion began on February 24.

FAMILY HOUSING

$19M student housing project begins in Merritt NVIT

5m ago

Most Wanted

CRIME STOPPERS: Most Wanted - Week of March 30, 2025

2h ago

Federal election

Political newcomer acclaimed as Liberal Party candidate for Chilliwack-Hope

11h ago

John Lowe, a volunteer for H.E.R.O Society, said he was grateful for all the organizations that came together to support the Ukrainian Day fundraising event at the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival grounds.

“So, it’s the day after Ukraine’s Independence Day, and it was an opportunity for us to do a fundraiser, but it was also an opportunity to bring the community together,” Lowe explained. “And it’s really grown into a chance for several organizations to celebrate and have a good time together.”

Image: L. Gomes / PML / A 13-year-old Ukrainian-Canadian singing a song at the event.

Lowe elaborated that funds raised at Ukrainian Day will provide support in the form of gas for drivers in the war-stricken country, along with medical equipment.

“So, we had about four or five different vendors from different organizations, selling souvenirs and crafts that had been made,” he said. “And that money is being raised to go directly to projects and the organizations we’re working with. We also had a traditional vyshyvanka (Ukrainian clothing with hand-made embroidery) seller, who was contributing some of her proceeds towards us as well.”

The event had a letter-writing station, where people could write to soldiers and volunteers in Ukraine, and a flag that people could write encouraging messages on.

“We had a large camouflage net,” Lowe remarked. “These nets are what break up the silhouette for the military and civilians there. What we’re doing is we’re building these nets in solidarity with Ukrainians, and we’re providing these nets to our team in Zaporizhzhia.”

People who would like to donate to the H.E.R.O Society can visit www.herosociety.ca.

Donations for medical equipment or medical supplies can be made by emailing John at jcwlowe@gmail.com.

Image: L. Gomes / PML / The camouflage net that will be sent over to Ukraine.

Image: L. Gomes / PML / A Ukrainian flag flies high surrounded by sunflowers.