Local organizers hoping to bring a family of five from war-torn Ukraine to North Bay have set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the family.
"The Bieliaiev family is from the city of Mariupol, and they have lost everything - their family, friends, home, and livelihoods," the GoFundMe page stated.
"They are currently sheltering in Denmark waiting for their visa applications to be processed under Canada's CUAET program, which will allow them to work and study. Their goal once they settle is to get on the path to permanent residency."
To check out the GoFundMe go HERE
Tina Karvinen, who found out about the family through the internet, is one of the local organizers trying to help the family get to North Bay. She has offered up her cottage on the outskirts of North Bay as a temporary home.
"I feel very committed to them," said Karvinen.
"I'll do what I can to help get them here and their stepping stone to living here and starting their new lives."
See related: Ukrainian family preparing to move to North Bay
Karvinen says she does not have a specific timeline as to when they will be able to come to Canada. But she is optimistic they will arrive in North Bay within the next four weeks. The family which will have its family pets will be coming to North Bay with a few suitcases and the shirts on their backs.
She says they hope to raise about $10,000 to help the family.
They include:
- Airplane tickets for family and pets $4000
- Medical exams on arrival in Canada $1250
- Cost of food and other essential supplies to get started $3000
- Cost of fee to start process with National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) $450
- Miscellaneous fees/costs associated with newcomers $1300
Karvinen says right now the only thing holding them back is their visas which is the only thing holding them back from travelling to North Bay.
