When you canB次元官网网址檛 make sense of the currency in a different country, the money in your pocket may not be worth the paper itB次元官网网址檚 printed on.

One of the few stories Bill RomaniukB次元官网网址檚 grandfather, Stephan Romaniuk, shared about moving to Canada from northern Ukraine in 1930 left a lasting impression on Bill thatB次元官网网址檚 inspired a fundraiser to assist new arrivals with something most of us take for granted.

B次元官网网址淢y grandfather didnB次元官网网址檛 like talking about what he called the old country and his experiences there,B次元官网网址� Romaniuk said. B次元官网网址淗e was a shoemaker before coming to Canada and made high-end boots for the military and the wealthy.

B次元官网网址淥ne story that really stayed with me was that when grandfather arrived in Canada, he had $5 in Ukrainian currency in his pocket. Someone offered to exchange it for Canadian money, and he got ripped off for 80 per cent, which left my grandfather with $1 Canadian. When the war in Ukraine started, it made me think maybe I can do something to ensure that doesnB次元官网网址檛 happen to people arriving from the Ukraine now.B次元官网网址�

Stephan Romaniuk eventually settled in Sudbury, where he worked at the Copper Cliff Smelter for most of his life.

B次元官网网址淢y grandfather died from cancer caused by his work in 1965,B次元官网网址� Romaniuk said. B次元官网网址� He was a major positive influence in my life, and both of my grandparents underlined the importance of working really hard. He was my main inspiration for getting Change for Hope started.B次元官网网址�

Change for Hope is a fundraiser for Ukrainians that assists new arrivals with the ins and outs of Canadian currency and helps them financially as well.

B次元官网网址淚 quickly realized when people arrive here, they need cash right away as well as an understanding of our currency system,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 discussed it with my brother John and sister Susan who live in Ontario, and they said letB次元官网网址檚 make it work right away.B次元官网网址�

The three siblings worked together on the bookB次元官网网址檚 design and covered the cost of materials and printing. Change for Hope is printed in Canadian and Ukrainian with photographs of Canadian currency, starting with the nickel all the way up to a $100 bill. Each book also contains the corresponding currency in crisp new bills and shiny coins B次元官网网址� $188.40 that Romaniuk has painstakingly gathered from local banks.

B次元官网网址淲e asked people and businesses here and in Ontario for donations to fill the books,B次元官网网址� Romaniuk said. B次元官网网址淚 gave 12 books to families staying at Ukrainian Safe Haven in East Sooke, which helped 32 people. Most got their books two days before Christmas, so it was a timely gift.B次元官网网址�

The Sooke LionB次元官网网址檚 Club also took some books and filled them with money for the families theyB次元官网网址檙e supporting in Sooke.

So far, 110 booklets have been distributed here and in Ontario.

Victoria Grando, general manager of the Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Society of Vancouver Island, said sheB次元官网网址檚 impressed with RomaniukB次元官网网址檚 initiative.

B次元官网网址淢any people arriving in a new country donB次元官网网址檛 understand the currency or even recognize what it looks like,B次元官网网址� said Grando, who also serves as secretary for the Canadian Ukrainian Congress.

B次元官网网址淏illB次元官网网址檚 come up with such a great idea where people can keep the brochure and use the money in it for groceries or whatever they need. Anything helps when you come to a new country, and what BillB次元官网网址檚 doing is awesome.B次元官网网址�

Romaniuk is also distributing Change for Hope through Help Ukraine VI, which supports and assists Ukrainians arriving in Canada.

B次元官网网址淭he general manager, Karmen McNamara is a real dynamo,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 think she raised $4,000 early on by selling perogies. She keeps tabs on every family arriving on the Island and identifies what they need.B次元官网网址�

You can send donations for Change for Life by contacting Romaniuk at bll4romaniuk@gmail.com, or by mail addressed to Change for Life, P.O. box 973, Sooke, B.C., V9Z 1H9.

Romaniuk would like to connect with a registered non-profit organization to set up an account for Change for Life that will provide tax receipts for donations to reach more potential donors.

B次元官网网址淭hat would be awesome,B次元官网网址� he said.

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