When Iryna Karakuts and her son fled Ukraine in the early days of the war, she prayed she would end up somewhere she could still help her country.
“I asked God: Please, send me to a place where my abilities, my skills, my knowledge will be for the best use for other people. And I hope that I follow those instructions,” she says.
Karakuts and her son arrived in Saskatoon in late April 2022. Since then, her son has settled into his new school and she’s found work as an interpreter and rock truck operator. Now that she’s in a place where she feels secure and no longer hears bombs exploding a few kilometres from her doorstep she donates regularly to organizations that support those still in Ukraine, including her brother in law, who is in the Ukrainian Army.
“Each month I make my donation because I know that now it’s really very hard for those people who lost their jobs, who lost their houses, their homes, who are really helpless,” she says. “I can’t imagine, really can’t imagine, how difficult at the moment it is for those people who fight for freedom, for that little piece of happiness.”
Karakuts says it’s important for people to remember that people are in need now and will continue to need support in the years and months to come. That’s why she’s heading to the start line of Brainsport’s 10k for Ukraine on March 18 to speak to runners before the gun goes off.
“It is unbelievable — but it’s true — that the war is still in Ukraine,” she says.
Brainsport hosted its first 10k for Ukraine last March, just weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine. The goal was to raise $10,000 for the Canada Ukraine Foundation’s Humanitarian Appeal. The running community rallied to pull in $20,428.
This year’s in-person event takes place March 18, with an option to participate virtually from March 18-26. This event is free, but participants are encouraged to donate to the Canada Ukraine Foundation’s Humanitarian Appeal through Race Roster. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $10 or more.
The in-person event starts at 10 a.m. at the Peace Prayer Pole in Rotary Park following a speech from Karakuts. Participants are encouraged to wear blue and yellow.
Cash and cheque donations will be accepted at the event and people can also donate at Brainsport.
To register for the event and donate, go online.
