Nadia Stephaniuk and other members of the Windsor Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble perform.Nadia Stephaniuk and other members of the Windsor Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble are hosting a dinner May 26 to benefit humanitarian efforts in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Dinner to benefit humanitarian efforts in Ukraine

Nadia Stephaniuk (BFS 2017, MSc 2019), a student recruitment officer in the Office of Enrolment Management, has always been proud to be Ukrainian.

“Growing up in Saskatchewan, it always seemed like just about every person you'd meet was Ukrainian,” she says. “When I moved to Windsor in 2013, my first home away from home was in the local Ukrainian community.”

The Russian invasion of the country left her overwhelmed and anxious, but she has channelled those feelings into something productive — organizing a dinner to raise funds for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.

Stephaniuk is a member of the host organization, the Windsor Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. The group will perform during the event, set for May 26 at the Ciociaro Club, along with musical guests Big Louie and the Band and Klooch.

“Join us for an evening of dinner and entertainment celebrating Ukrainian culture and community,” says Stephaniuk.

Tickets to the United with Ukraine Benefit are $50, available online at https://bit.ly/3JNQMBD, in person from Stephaniuk or the Ukrainian Credit Union, 1275 Walker Rd.

Organizers are also seeking sponsorships and donations of raffle prizes; direct inquiries to Stephaniuk at barvinokwindsor22@gmail.com.