Some Media Club members recently took part in a project to help support Ukrainian soldiers and refugees. They were among a small army of people who responded to an appeal from Ottawa’s Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral to help make over 600 dozen varenyka to sell as a fund raiser for the Canada-Ukrainian Foundation (CUF) for refugees of the war in Ukraine.
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On March 22, 25 and 26 volunteers, representing a variety of different countries and faiths met and worked together in the cathedral’s hall at 1000 Byron Avenue.
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On March 25 a report about the project appeared in the Ottawa Citizen, by journalist, author and former Media Club president Becky Rynor. She quoted event organizer, Angie Reshitnky, who said the volunteers “peeled 500 pounds of potatoes and 150 pounds of onions.” The headline of Rynor’s page A3 story is Ottawa Church Hosts Perogy Pinchers to Fuel Aid for Ukraine.
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Media Club member volunteers included Ainalem Tebeje and Iris ten Holder. Helen Bednarek Van Eyk who helped organize the project also assisted, along with her nieces Rebecca Bednarek and Grace Torrie. She explained that “varenyky (sometimes more commonly known as perogies) are popular Ukrainian boiled dumplings filled with a variety of ingredients – from vegetables to meat, mashed potatoes with cheese and onions, sauerkraut, mushrooms or even fruit. They are usually boiled or steamed, drizzled with oil or melted butter, then served with a generous helping of sour cream. Pierogi is the Polish word to describe the boiled dumplings with a variety of fillings.”
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Bednarek Van Eyk also noted that close to 1,100 packages of pre-paid varenyky, each containing 12 varenyky, were prepared during those three days, raising $13,200 for Ukrainian relief. All packages were sold.