The Ukrainian flag is now flying at Sackville town hall, after a small, emotional ceremony Monday afternoon with Mayor Shawn Mesheau, director of corporate projects Kieran Miller, and the family of Ukrainian-Canadian Christina Stasula. The Mayor started off with some heartfelt comments before joining Stasula in hoisting the blue and yellow flag.

“We are all human beings on this planet,” said Mesheau. “No one should have to live in tyranny and be forced out of their homes… I just ask people to stand by you and be part of helping us get to a better place.”

The Stasula family were wrapped in yellow and blue, and played the Ukrainian anthem on a phone during the flag raising. Afterwards, Stasula said she was moved by the gesture.

“I feel really proud and honoured to be part of this community,” said Stasula. “Thank you Sackville.”

Stasula has helped organize a donation drive at town hall, collecting supplies to be shipped to Ukraine by the Ukrainian Club of Moncton.

Kieran Miller said the first week of the community donation drive was a success, and the Ukrainian Club hauled away one truckload of supplies on Friday. The drive is extended another week and will wrap up this Friday, March 18. Until then, supplies can be dropped off at town hall, says Miller, with a focus on medical and children’s supplies.

“We would ask that people focus on medical supplies, items for children such as diapers and formula, those type of items,” said Miller. “We’ve got a lot of clothing, so now we’d like to shift the emphasis to the medical supplies and those types of items.

In terms of monetary donations, Stasula recommends the Ukrainian Club of Moncton, which is arranging shipping for the donated items, and also the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine effort.