Sometimes itB次元官网网址檚 the little things that can make a huge difference for people seeking refuge from the war in Ukraine.
Whether itB次元官网网址檚 a comfortable place to sit outside by the fire or a stuffed animal the kids can cuddle for comfort, people staying at Ukrainian Safe Haven in East Sooke received some much-needed support through a collaborative effort launched by Sooke Rotary.
The initiative to build four picnic tables began about a year ago when Sooke Rotary Club president John Topolniski was contacted by Dave Bennett, a former district councillor and retired principal at Edward Milne Community School.
B次元官网网址淒ave was volunteering at Ukrainian Safe Haven and thought there might be an opportunity for Rotary to assist as we usually do in these situations,B次元官网网址� Topolniski said. B次元官网网址淭he club is indebted to Dave for approaching Rotary last winter to help renovate the property.B次元官网网址�
Bennett was helping put in an outdoor fire pit on the property formerly known as Grouse Nest Resort thatB次元官网网址檚 been turned into a refuge for people arriving from Ukraine since the war started in their home country in February.
Rotarians got involved in clearing a path through the woods, installing water lines and cutting and splitting several cords of firewood.
B次元官网网址淒ave said it would be nice for them to have a picnic table there, so I started looking for lumber,B次元官网网址� Topolniski said.B次元官网网址漈he cost was shocking.B次元官网网址�
He contacted William Head Institute to see if it wanted to help build the tables because the inmates had made the Little Free Libraries in Sooke.
B次元官网网址淭hey were excited about getting involved,B次元官网网址� Topolniski said. B次元官网网址淭hose who want to give back are always looking for projects like this.B次元官网网址�
While talking about making one child-sized and three adult-sized picnic tables with Christian Hauff, his contact at William Head, Hauff mentioned that a couple of the inmates like to knit.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not something you would expect from inmates at a penitentiary,B次元官网网址� Topolniski said.
The inmates put together 10 sock monkeys for the the kids at Safe Haven, and the Institute covered the costs of the materials.
B次元官网网址淭hey did a wonderful job,B次元官网网址� Topolniski said. B次元官网网址淭he quality of the workmanship is evident in every table, and the kids can take the sock monkeys with them when they move on to their new homes or, better yet, return to their homes and families in Ukraine.B次元官网网址�
Using Rotary connections with local businesses, Rotarian Frank Gertsma secured the paint and hardware for free from Home Hardware. Topolniski arranged for Slegg Lumber to donate the lumber, pick up the tables and deliver them to Ukrainian Safe Haven.
Hauff, an institutional service officer in charge of the Community Connections at William Head, said the non-profit program provides offenders with the opportunity to give back to communities in need through their skilled craftmanship by making items such as toy cars, picnic tables, sock monkeys, and knitted hats and scarves.
The program also supports annual initiatives such as the Operation Christmas Child program, which sends crafts to children overseas.
B次元官网网址淭ogether, the group decides which local communities or charitable organization they will support,B次元官网网址� Hauff said. B次元官网网址淭his allows the participants to actively engage in a project they are passionate about and interested in. It also helps them fully immerse themselves into the task at hand and teaches them the importance of giving back.B次元官网网址�
Initiatives like Community Connections assists not only the communities in need but the offenders as well, Hauff noted.
B次元官网网址淚t has a positive impact on their mental health and self-development and enables them to reintegrate back into society safely and successfully.B次元官网网址�
Ukrainian Safe Haven property owner Brian Holowaychuk said he appreciated the support from Sooke Rotary, William Head, Home Hardware, and Slegg Lumber.
B次元官网网址淚 was really impressed with the quality of the work,B次元官网网址� he noted.B次元官网网址漈hey did a terrific job, and the kids really like the sock monkeys.B次元官网网址�
Holowaychuk has 36 people staying at the property, but will reach full capacity next week with the arrival of another family from Ukraine.
Anyone who would like to donate or offer assistance should contact Holowaychuk at ukrainiansafehaven.org.
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