Sunflowers, soup and art: How Canadians are fundraising for Ukraine

Aaron Saks wanted to find a way to raise money for the people of Ukraine. The scale of thedevastation in the countryseemed colossal, he said, so he started out small.

With a sunflower seed.

Saks is the president of West Coast Seeds, a company headquartered inLadner, B.C., near Vancouver. The company is donating100 per cent of itssales of sunflower seeds during March to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

Sunflowers are Ukraine's national flowerandhave emerged asa globalsymbol of solidarity for the country.

"We thought it would be a perfect way to honour them," he said.

Their campaign has raised more than $21,000 in the first few days.They've been barely able to keep up with the demand, he said.

The fundraiser is one of hundreds of ways Canadians are getting creative in raising money forcharities assisting in the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

More than 2 million Ukrainians have fled the country since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, according to theUnited Nations refugee agency. Millions more have been displaced inside the country.

From rentingUkrainian Airbnbswith no intention of visiting to selling digital artwork, people are using the power of the online marketplace to send money to those in need on a scale that hasn't been seen before, saidKate Bahen from Charity Intelligence Canada, whichuses evidence-based research to assess theimpact ofa charity's work.

For Canadians wondering whether to donate goods or money, Bahensaidresearch showscash is far more effective for people in a disaster, because it's versatile.

"Giving people cash gives them resilience, gives them capital to be able to meet their needs," she said.

She saidany support is good but donors should do their research to make sure their money gets to Ukrainians as quickly as possible.

"The last thing you want isfor your support to be in a Canadian bank account two years from now," she said.

3D-printed figurines

In recent weeks,UkrainianPresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyhas become an international icon.

He is the inspiration for a unique fundraiser in the world of 3D-printedfantasy action figures. A figurine called TheHero of the Golden Fieldsa reference to Ukraine's wheat fieldsis modelled off the Ukrainian leaderbut withdistinctly medieval garb,and is selling well online with the help of a man from Vancouver.

Max Manleyis one of a handful of producersaround the world printingthe 3D figure in his homeand collecting the proceeds from the salesfor globalRed Cross programs.

"In five hours I could probably produce about 15 Zelenskys on a single printer plate," he said.

"When they receive a figure from me, they can paint it and make it their own."

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Jackie Klobucar,an illustrator from British Columbia,decided to donatemoney she makesselling herartworkonline toa charity called Together Rising, which is supportingBIPOC and LGBTQcommunities in Ukraine, according to its website.

Her desire to fundraisewas partly inspired by her Slavic heritage, she said, and the days shespentat European community centres in Windsor, Ont., as a child.

"It was something very prominent in my childhood," she said.

Make borscht, not war

In San Francisco, Canadian Anne-Marie Bonneau's kitchen countertop is covered in bowls of chopped vegetables onions, celery and, most importantly, beetroot, the main ingredient in a soup that is common in Russia, Ukraine and other parts of eastern Europe.

Originally from Belleville, Ont., Bonneau hosted a live online cooking class, teaching dozens of people in the U.S. and Canada how to make the dish. Participants had to donate money to one of the charitiesBonneau had chosen,likeMdecins Sans Frontires,to secure a spot in the class.

More than 40 peoplesigned on, raising more than $2,700 USfor the humanitarian response in Ukraine andneighbouring countries.

"It's fun to cook dinner with a group of people," she said.

Bonneau said raising so much money for Ukrainians felt good anddoing something also helped with her anxiety over the crisis.

"You just feel so helpless," she said.

"Taking action always makes me feel better."