WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO
- The Bravery Foundation is a Canadian CRA registered charity located in Kelowna, BC
- We provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine and support displaced Ukrainians, refugees and volunteers serving in Ukraine
KELOWNA SALUTES UKRAINE EXPO!
Join us February 25, 2023 at a special event to salute Ukraine and the displaced families who have made our community theirs.
We are a co-operative of local community organizations who have united to support Ukraine and displaced Ukrainians who've fled the war and made the Okanagan home. As the world marks the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, we invite you to meet our new neighbors and friends, and to express our admiration for the bravery of their nation.
This event has been organized by the Bravery Foundation to showcase what the Okanagan Co-operative for Ukraine (OCU) has collaboratively accomplished this past year, raise funds to support Ukraine and share how you too can get involved!
Admission is by donation, but we ask you to obtain tickets in advance, as space is limited.
Various Ukrainian delicacies and specialty items will be available for purchase, and a silent auction will help raise more funds to assist Ukraine.
To mark the one-year anniversary of Ukraine’s heroic resistance, we will hear from Ukrainian and Canadian community leaders, and observe a minute of silence for the fallen.
Join us February 25, 2023 at a special event to salute Ukraine and the displaced families who have made our community theirs.
We are a co-operative of local community organizations who have united to support Ukraine and displaced Ukrainians who've fled the war and made the Okanagan home. As the world marks the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, we invite you to meet our new neighbors and friends, and to express our admiration for the bravery of their nation.
This event has been organized by the Bravery Foundation to showcase what the Okanagan Co-operative for Ukraine (OCU) has collaboratively accomplished this past year, raise funds to support Ukraine and share how you too can get involved!
Admission is by donation, but we ask you to obtain tickets in advance, as space is limited.
Various Ukrainian delicacies and specialty items will be available for purchase, and a silent auction will help raise more funds to assist Ukraine.
To mark the one-year anniversary of Ukraine’s heroic resistance, we will hear from Ukrainian and Canadian community leaders, and observe a minute of silence for the fallen.
|
DETAILS
|
SPEAKERS
|
CO-OPERATIVE
Okanagan Co-operative for Ukraine (OCU) is a purpose driven, action orientated group of local organizations from the Okanagan that supports Ukraine and displaced Ukrainians who now call our community home.
Okanagan Co-operative for Ukraine (OCU) is a purpose driven, action orientated group of local organizations from the Okanagan that supports Ukraine and displaced Ukrainians who now call our community home.
BRAVERY FOUNDATION
We are a non-profit, CRA registered charity based in Kelowna, BC that's partnered with the United WayBC. Through our connection to various Okanagan businesses and organizations we've been able to create resources for displaced Ukrainians settling in our community. We've facilitated emergency dental care through Kelowna's Gospel Mission Dental Clinic for those in immediate need. By connecting with Ebus we've secured free bus rides for Ukrainians arriving in Vancouver who want to come to the Okanagan Valley.
Our collaborations with Mamas For Mamas has allowed us to set up free shopping events and prepare Welcome Baskets for distribution by Kelowna Community Resources. Synergies with Kelowna Stands With Ukraine, We Help Ukraine, Ukrainian Canadian Volunteer Association, Kelowna S.H.A.R.E Society, Slavic United Network and Nations First Immigration ensure displaced Ukrainians receive much needed support like housing, clothing and food when first arrive and until they are integrated into our community.
Alliances with local hotels owned by Argus Hospitality Group helped us establish emergency housing and employment opportunities for displaced Ukrainians. Affiliations with International Gateway Kelowna, a local English language school connected to WorkBC and KCR, ensures Ukrainians have a safe place to learn English, become gainfully employed and connect with one another.
Our relationship with Value Village through their Get to Give program allows the Bravery Foundation to provide bulk items like school supplies, winter jackets and sports equipment for community initiatives designed for larger groups of displaced Ukrainians. The Bravery Foundation together with Value Village's FUNDrive program, help Ukraine and the environment. We encourage local people to drop off used clothing and small household items to Ukrainian organizations in the Okanagan who distribute them to displaced Ukrainians in need. The Bravery Foundation next gleans back items Ukrainians cannot utilize and in turn drops them off to Value Village who pays the Bravery Foundation cash. We in turn use the money to help displaced Ukrainians purchase other necessities, like food and personal care products. This not only keeps things out of the landfill, it helps those in need! For info on various Ukrainian Free Store drop off and shopping locations in the Okanagan Click Here!
*Did you know the official flower of Kelowna is the "Okanagan Sunflower". Each spring the hillsides of our beautiful Valley are covered with the bright yellow flowers of Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata). It is indigenous to our region and was used by the First Nations peoples in the Okanagan as a food source. Its heart shaped leaves and golden heads raised to the blue Okanagan sky is a perfect reminder of our solidarity with Ukraine and their fight for freedom.
AUCTION - HEIRLOOM EMBROIDERY
Link: https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/106041/auctions/139084?r=1&t=all
Various heirloom embroidery on hand woven canvas from late 1900's, donate by Tatiana Arendarchuk from Rivne, Ukraine.
Link: https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/106041/auctions/139084?r=1&t=all
Various heirloom embroidery on hand woven canvas from late 1900's, donate by Tatiana Arendarchuk from Rivne, Ukraine.
FLOWERS DONATED BY:
EXPO GOALS
- Salute the spirit of Ukraine by sharing the story of displaced Ukrainians and the organizations helping Ukraine
- Engage the larger Okanagan community to connect with Ukrainians so relationships are built and trust is created
- Vision: To create a community *murmuration
- Mission: To support Ukraine & displaced Ukrainians
- Mandate: To build a stable & resourceful co-operative
- Values: Community, Connection, Purpose
AUCTION - VARIOUS ITEMS
Link: https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/106041/auctions/139084?r=1&t=all
Donated1st Edition antique collectors Porsche and Volkswagen manuals, pysanka hand blown and painted Ukrainian eggs, official Ukrposhta (Ukrainian Postal Service) merch, shadow boxes with official Ukraine badges and stories signed by International Legion of Ukraine soldier, hand embroidered jewelry, and so much more!
OUR FAMILY
The Bravery Foundation helped the first displaced Ukrainian family settle in Kelowna and we encourage others in our community to do the same. Ivanka is now working, living independently in her own home and supporting her two children. A success story others can replicate with the support of our Okanagan community!
The Bravery Foundation helped the first displaced Ukrainian family settle in Kelowna and we encourage others in our community to do the same. Ivanka is now working, living independently in her own home and supporting her two children. A success story others can replicate with the support of our Okanagan community!
Interested in sponsoring our event, please fill out the below 'Contact Us' form.
