91原创 RCMP officer Dennis Bell had the idea when he dropped by to purchase some cinnamon apple perogies at Veronica鈥檚 Gourmet Perogies in Aldergrove back in March.
It was a fundraiser for the Ukraine, organized by store owner Veronica Cave that went on to raise more than $5,000 in a matter of hours.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Perogy fundraiser for Ukraine raised more than $5,000 in Aldergrove
鈥淢y grandparents and parents are Ukrainian, and I was like, how can I help in some small way?鈥� Bell explained
鈥淲hile we were waiting in line, I came up with this idea.鈥�
It was a fundraising dinner, featuring Ukrainian dishes, held at the Royal Canadian Legion Aldergrove branch, with RCMP and 91原创 firefighters acting]as servers, in full formal uniforms.
Cave loved the idea, and it all came together quickly, with much of the $25 tickets gone in the first few weeks.
Bell described it as 鈥渧ery well-received.鈥�
鈥淔undraising has been going really well, tickets are really selling,鈥� Bell noted.
He said organizers are still still looking for corporate sponsors for the silent auction.
Cave described the community response as 鈥渇antastic.鈥�
鈥淲e need to sell a few more tickets and well be sold out and we鈥檙e hoping that will happen pretty quickly,鈥� Cave said.
鈥淰olunteers are coming in Tuesdays and Thursdays to make the perogies and cabbage rolls, which is awesome,鈥� Cave continued.
鈥淓veryone is pitching in, wanting to help.鈥�
Township of 91原创 firefighter Ryan Olesko and several other firefighters dropped by Veronica鈥檚 Gourmet Perogies on Saturday to show support.
Describing himself as a 鈥渂orn and raised鈥� Canadian with a Ukrainian heritage, Olesko said what is happening in the Ukraine may have more of a personal connection for him, but it is something that should concern all Canadians.
鈥淚 have seen nothing but support from anybody and everybody,鈥� Olesko remarked, 鈥渋t鈥檚 really amazing to see everybody come together, all as one, in support of this.
The 鈥淛ust Cause鈥� dinner is set for Saturday, May 28 at the Legion,located at 26607 Fraser Hwy in Aldergrove at 5 p.m.
Dinner includes perogies, cabbage rolls, and sausage, a performance with Kvitka Dancers and music by Boris Sichon.
There will be a 50/50 draw and silent auction.
Tickets will be sold at Veronica鈥檚 Gourmet Perogies store at 2989 272nd St. or online at .
Proceeds are being donated to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation at .
As of Tuesday, May 10, just six tickets out of 240 remained.
Is there more to the story? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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