A grassroots group formed to help Ukrainian refugees coming to the Brighton area has already held some fundraisers and has several more in the works.
Helping Ukrainians Get Settled in Brighton or HUGS in Brighton, was established earlier this year.
Rhonda MacDonald says there are currently three Ukrainian families settling in the area who need support.
“Clothing, groceries, transportation, gasoline, school supplies, immigration, medical. Just the basic essentials for day-to-day life to be able to get established.”
MacDonald says they are even helping with things like language and job training.
Currently HUGS is looking for hosts to bring more families to the area.
“In Brighton, because we have a lack of rental housing, we’ve made it a point to work with host families. So we endeavour to find host families and help them to establish with a Ukrainian family.”
There will be a fundraising BBQ from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Special Effects Lifestyle Boutique on Main Street in Brighton.
“There’s going to be music, about eight different artists. We’ve got Olena Remezovska who is actually one of our first Ukrainian families to arrive here from the Kyiv area.”
More information about HUGS in Brighton and how to help on their Facebook page.
MacDonald says anyone interested in hosting a Ukrainian family can also contact them via Facebook or email at HUGSinBrighton@gmail.com.
