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8 Friday, April 19, 2024 brooklintowncrier.com 2 CAMBELL ST, BROOKLIN L1M 1A2 CARRYOUT OR DELIVERY 905-620-1116 OR ORDER ONLINE AT PIZZAHUT.CA Walk in Special LARGE 2 TOPPING $14.99 Stuffed Crust also available for upcharge $4.50 Additional Toppings each $4.00 Burns Church has been welcoming Ukrainian families into the community, using its strong connection to Ukraine and one couple in particular. In 2010, Jiri and Natalia Nianchuk, the parents of one of the local refugee families, founded the На-Дія (Na-Diya) organization in Ukraine. "Na-Diya" means hope, its mission being "We give help and work to protect you and your rights." Natalia originally formed the organization to provide workshops for rural women, psychological support for victims, and facilitation of training programs aimed at empowering individuals to initiate their own businesses. After the Russian invasion in 2014, she expanded the group in Kherson. Donated building Prior to 2014, Natalie and Jiri owned a building which they leased out. After the invasion, they decided to donate the use of the building to the На-Дія organization. It is used to dehydrate food, store second-hand clothing and provide work for those displaced from their homes. They also house elderly women in their personal residence and donate their home to displaced families when they visit their family living in our community. На-Дія relies on electricity to dehydrate food they provide to soldiers on the front lines since military attacks on Ukraine's energy system have significantly undermined the security of the country's power supply. Most areas only have access to electricity, heating, and the internet for a few hours a day. More than 50% of Ukraine's power infrastructure has been damaged resulting in limited access to electricity and increasing costs when available. With money donated by members of Burns church and the community, Natalia was able to purchase additional food dehydrators as well as a generator for the building using funds from a grant application. Jiri, now 65, is over the age of enlistment and is able to drive supplies to front-line soldiers when money for gas is available. From now until the end of May, Burns Church will be donating any funds made to their Benevolent Fund directly to the На-Дія organization. To support the На-Дія organization, you can donate through the Burns Church Benevolent Fund by e-transfer to office@ burnschurch.org, cash or cheque to Burns Church with a note "Ukrainian Appeal." For more information: Burns Church, 765 Myrtle Rd W., Ashburn 905-655-8509 office@burnschurch.org Burns Church Supports Ukraine Organization