Even a small donation can change someone’s life this winter
During 2025, Ukraine experienced over 19,000 air alerts and had only four days without attacks from Russian drones and missiles. On New Year’s night, while the world was celebrating and exchanging best wishes, 205 drones struck critical civilian and energy infrastructure in Ukraine, plunging many regions into darkness once again.
Our fundraising in support the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal began on November 28, and you have met “Olena” and her son through our Holiday Campaign. Although she is a fictitious composite character, her story resonates because it represents the real experiences of so many Ukrainians this winter.
Outside, fresh snow falls — soft, peaceful, beautiful. Inside, Olena’s home is silent and dark.
For her family, the holidays arrived without warmth or glow. No twinkling lights. No long family dinners catching up with relatives and laughing around the table. The attacks continued through Christmas. Winter has set in with cold walls and colder mornings.
It is −15 °C. At 6:12 a.m., the power briefly returns at Olena’s. She doesn’t celebrate, she and her son move quickly. Her neighbourhood has been allocated just two hours of electricity, part of hourly rolling blackouts meant to fairly distribute what little power remains.
The kettle goes on to prepare tea and coffee to fill the thermoses. She plugs in the phones, the power banks, the flashlight she keeps by her bed. Hot water is a welcome luxury when the lights are on, as are quick showers.
While she and her son snuggle in their sweaters and hats, the news report shares what she already knows: attacks on Ukraine’s gas and energy infrastructure have increased, targeting power plants and electricity transmission systems.
At 8:09 a.m., the lights flicker. By 8:12, everything goes dark again.
The rest of the day is spent conserving batteries, seeking out generators, quickly checking the news on social media, and listening for air raid sirens. Managing winter one powerless hour at a time.
The holidays reminded us that light can begin with a simple gesture. Canadians place a profound trust in the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, and that trust allows us to reach people in Ukraine with care, dignity, and compassion.
In a season filled with small miracles, your generosity becomes one of them. Your gift can warm a home, sustain a clinic through a blackout, or bring comfort to a parent trying to protect their child from the harshness of winter. Hope may be fragile, but when shared, it becomes strong enough to carry across an ocean.
The Holiday Campaign ends today — but winter in Ukraine does not.
Your donation will support the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, our joint initiative with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
Your gift can help restore warmth, light, medical care, and dignity.
Because no one should have to plan their life around a few hours of electricity.
To donate to our Holiday Campaign using AMEX, PayPal, or Google Pay, please visit our CanadaHelps page.
About the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
Launched in January 2022 as a joint initiative of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (UHA) coordinates the efficient delivery of humanitarian aid in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Its efforts support displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter, and food security—both within Ukraine and among those who have sought refuge elsewhere in Europe and in Canada. To date, UHA has provided close to $100 million in humanitarian aid, reaching over 6 million people through 300+ projects.
About the Canada-Ukraine Foundation
Founded in 1995 during the 18th Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established to coordinate, develop, and deliver humanitarian assistance from Canadians to Ukraine. CUF continues to play a vital role as a national charitable foundation, working to monitor, promote, and support humanitarian aid initiatives. Its mission includes evaluating projects, fostering collaboration among aid providers, setting strategic priorities, and ensuring resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. CUF also serves as a forum for individuals and organizations—across community, private, and public sectors—committed to supporting Ukraine. In addition to its work abroad, CUF also supports related initiatives within Canada.