Saint John Florist’s Campaign Raises Money For Ukraine
SAINT JOHN–Galbraith Florist’s owner Oksana Posatska launched the “Flowers For Ukraine” campaign on Sunday evening, selling a special bouquet to raise funds for Ukraine relief after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of the nation.
“The idea came immediately because the urge to do something was not an urge anymore, it was like a civic duty and responsibility for my nation, for the people that that are suffering right now,” said Posatska, who has seen friends step up to get the campaign off the ground.
“I want to thank personally Kelly Lawson and her husband, Jeff – they were amazing, calling for volunteers to help us out to put this all together to help us out, to make bouquets and take pictures and spread the word.”
Posatska’s family remains in Ukraine and is safe.
“We are glued to our phones and checking them very, very often,” she said. “We are all Ukrainians and we are quite devastated by everything that is happening right now.”
The “Stand with Ukraine” bouquet costs $50 and 100 percent of proceeds of sales will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross Ukrainian Relief Fund.
“People are calling, offering help, ordering and it’s amazing–I’m honestly speechless right now,” she said.
So far, she says, she’s had more than 200 orders.
The bouquet is composed of yellow and blue flowers (the colours of Ukraine’s national flag) such as irises, delphiniums, blue Gerber daisies, and sunflowers.
“[Sunflowers] are Ukraine’s national flower, it has a very deep meaning,” Posatska explained.
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Along with donations to the Canadian Red Cross Ukrainian Relief Fund, which will be matched by the government, Galbraith Florist is also operating a collection point at its store on 621 Rothesay Avenue.
It is collecting donations such as first aid kits and clothes that will be flown out Wednesday on a commercial plane, which will be partially funded by the money raised by the campaign.
“The plane won’t go directly to Ukraine, but to Poland, and then we have connections with the volunteers and charitable organizations who will pick up the aid and then distribute it,” said Posatska.
Elizabeth MacLeod is a Saint John reporter with Huddle and Acadia Broadcasting radio stations. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].