Dear Friends,

On March 4th bombs began falling on the eastern Ukrainian town of Rubezhone. The extended Nedbailo family, who all lived within a few blocks of one another, made the decision to flee.  For the past few months they have managed to stay together while travelling thousands of kilometres to find safety. Many days and nights were spent in bomb shelters along the way, car tires were shot out, they watched their homes and businesses destroyed, personal property taken by soldiers, and yet on June 9th Max (2) , Anhelina (11), and Zlata (9) will arrive safely in Vancouver with their parents.

Between ourselves and two other wonderful families in our neighborhood, all three families will have housing in North Vancouver through the summer. We are so excited to welcome them after a long wait, but much remains to be done to ensure they have a supportive start here.

Many of you have contacted me to offer items or services which are all appreciated. However my hope in starting this fundraising campaign is that as a community, as Canadians, we wrap our arms around these kids and their parents to make them feel welcome, supported, and safe. And to give them the financial footing which they can launch from. Please know that I have done many hours of due diligence into the stories of these people, and can assure you your money is going to help truly decent, hardworking people. All adults have skill sets and will, with time, find employment. All are motivated to do so. These are not people who have ever needed a handout. But now with their homes destroyed and savings in bank accounts severely devalued, arriving with only a carryon backpack each, every dollar matters, and every gesture reverberates.

All funds raised will go directly to the three families to assist with airfare, securing rental housing, daycare, transportation, kids activities, and many other basic necessities.

If you have questions please feel free to reach out to me directly. And please share this far and wide. As it’s said: To those whom much has been given, much is required.

Many thanks,

Stephanie Clark

North Vancouver

For the purposes of Go Fund Me compliance, the names and dates of birth of each family member are:

Anhelina Berezova

Born: Sept 10, 2011

Olesia Berezova

Born: Jan 3, 1980

Yehven Berezova 

Born: Oct 21, 1971

Zlata Nedbailo:

Born: Jan 12, 2013

Andrii Nedbailo:

Born: Dec 18, 1977

Olga Kravchenko:

Born: July 9, 1971

Maksim Rudoi

Born: Jan 1, 2020

Dima Rudoi

Born: July 20, 1991

Yana Rudaia

Born: Aug 20, 1990