When Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, it set off shockwaves around the world, including here in 91原创.

With one of the largest populations of people of Ukrainian descent in the world, Canada saw both a significant number of refugees arriving from Ukraine, as well as fundraisers to help the Ukrainian people.

Some refugees shared their stories about getting out of what had rapidly become a war zone.

Dmitry Lozinsky and his wife Karyna, with family on both sides of the Russian-Ukrainian border, wound up stuck at a Russian border crossing in the early days of the conflict, with a border guard accusing Dmitry of being a terrorist.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e a liar,鈥� the Russian thundered, Dmitry said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e going to jail. You鈥檙e a terrorist, and an extremist, and you鈥檙e going to jail.鈥�

They finally were allowed to go, and made their way to Canada with the help of a charity organization. Trained as a lawyer, Dmitry got local work permits and was soon working on a car lot and as a DoorDash driver.

Local charities and churches pulled together to raise money and send vital supplies to Ukraine, and to its western neighbours, which saw a flood of refugees.

Christian Life Assembly worked with a church in Poland to quickly transfer $50,000 in aid to Ukrainians fleeing the fighting.

鈥淲e just went to social media, we said 鈥榃e鈥檝e got partners, they鈥檙e at the border, they need help,鈥欌�� said Derrick Hamre, pastor at CLA.

They had $35,000 raised by the end of the last weekend in February, just days after Russian tanks rolled across the border.

Blue and yellow flags sprouted across 91原创 on cars, houses, businesses, and even as the colour scheme on birdhouses.

Fundraisers continued across the community 鈥� naturally several fundraisers featured perogies 鈥� and kept going right through to December, as Ukraine鈥檚 power infrastructure was being hammered by Russian missile attacks.

Seemingly every group in 91原创 that can raise money has tried to help, from car enthusiasts to Rotarians to 91原创 RCMP and firefighters.

The 鈥淛ust Cause鈥� meal for Ukraine relief in May was the work of RCMP Const. Dennis Bell and Veronica Cave, owner of Veronica鈥檚 Gourmet Perogies in Aldergrove 鈥� with the space and kitchen facilities donated by the Aldergrove legion.

鈥淭his has exceeded all of my expectations,鈥� Bell told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淭he community has been amazing.鈥�

However, scams became a problem as early as March as Canadians kept opening their wallets to help Ukraine.

By November, about 117,000 Ukrainian refugees had arrived in Canada, while hundreds of thousands more were still awaiting permission to come.

In the meantime, a number of groups are pulling together to host an invitation-only event on the Ukrainian Christmas, Saturday, Jan. 7 here in 91原创.

Being dubbed a Ukrainian Day of Community, organizers have tried to reach out to all of 91原创鈥檚 new Ukrain families, inviting them to a free 鈥渃elebration of spirit, strength, and example鈥� with a brunch and entertainment at Newlands.