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No helping hand in crisis too small

Plight of Ukrainians a wake-up call for humanity
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A social media post by the City of Parksville, dated March 1, 2022, shows the Civic and Technology Centre (100 Jensen Ave.) lit up in the colours of the Ukraine flag. (Facebook photo)

The worldwide condemnation of Russian actions in Ukraine is growing and people just want to do anything to help.

It’s a bit of a helpless feeling, though, when there’s not really much that can be done as we watch from afar while potentially several million people will end up fleeing their homes in their homeland because of a senseless and selfish act on the part of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, is emerging as the most admired man on the planet for his courage and not bowing to the tremendous pressure that has prompted so many world leaders from other countries in similar circumstances in the past to flee for their own protection.

It’s truly a David versus Goliath battle and people are rooting hard for the underdog to do the improbable and prevail by turning aggressive forces back in the wake of cowardly attacks on the civilian population.

Local support, no matter how small, means a great deal. We have the Chemainus Rotary Club stepping up and offering all the proceeds from its bottle drop this Saturday, March 12 to Ukraine relief.

So if you have a bunch of refundables lying around and aren’t concerned about getting the return on those deposits, now would be a good time to make a contribution.

Others are donating money to the cause because it’s such an important one. Just make sure you’re giving to reputable organizations so your money doesn’t get into the hands of scammers.

Can you imagine being in the situation the Ukrainian people are currently facing? What would we do when forced to suddenly pack up a few belongings and head for unknown territory? It’s unfathomable.

It’s a sad commentary on the state of affairs in the world today. We all know the rich keep getting richer and the poor are getting poorer while the bloodthirsty seeking power continually try to take advantage of the less fortunate.

Ordinary citizens are making a difference in this humanitarian crisis. Sadly, it’s not those with billions in assets who are putting their money into something that truly matters.

It’s up to us to do whatever we can so the unnecessary suffering ends.



Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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