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by Bren de Leeuw

t is no surprise to those that know us
Ihow much we have enjoyed being
involved in the building industry over
the years. A continually growing and
diverse sector of our economy that
constantly allows all of us who have
had any type of engagement within it,
the opportunity to learn from peers,
suppliers, customers, organizations,
through involvement in fundraising
or charity groups such as Habitat for
Humanity. Each opportunity and
interaction affords all of us the chance
to build knowledge, grow from the
experience and give back when possible.
When news first surfaced about the
potential for war in the Ukraine, we
watched as much of the world did, and
hoped that things would settle and not
escalate further. As Russian aggression
became more prevalent against the
Ukraine, we became very focused on
the people and what could we do from
small town Ontario to help. Then the
unbelievable happened. Putin declared
war on the country and the population
began to move in a mass exodus from
their homeland into surrounding
countries such as Poland with high
hopes that they would return again soon.
This was not to be.
It is now eight months later and
as we write this, there are images
flooding the internet of broken glass,
fires erupting everywhere, car horns
blaring in garages throughout the region,
buildings crumbling as a result of the The Kovalenko family posing in front of Harv & Bren de Leeuw's welcoming Victorian home
impact and giant craters 9-10 metres
deep left behind in the middle of roads,
playgrounds and where homes used big old Victorian home with three empty were actually happening through
to be… It seems like it could be a scene bedrooms and an ensuite; the close Facebook at that time. At first there was
from a movie, but it’s not. And tears proximity of shops and schools; and, a world-wide group who tried to assist
quietly stream down our faces. most importantly, a caring community people as they searched for places to
What seemed surreal is turned into that could well lend a hand at building go, and this eventually became almost
vivid reality as frantic calls are made a sense of “safeness” and a chance to overwhelming. Then other countries
to relatives to ensure their safety - regain what these “refugees/displaced including Canadian volunteers picked
not by us - but through a beautiful, persons” had lost, we just could not turn up opportunities to host Facebook sites
loving and caring Ukrainian family of away from the opportunity to be a Host/ allowing dialogue and best practices to
five that we have been hosting at our Sponsor. With that our journey to help be shared and for families to connect
house since September 13th, 2022 – a family began and so too our learning! with Host families such as ours. Many
Volodymyr (Vova) Kovalenko, Kateryna Without a doubt, it has proven to be one of those coming to Canada were looking
(Katya) Dobrynska, Rodion Dobrynskyi, of the most fulfilling things we have ever for a place to live and employment in
Kostiantyn (Kostya) and Vsevolod (Seva) committed to! the larger cities – Vancouver, Edmonton,
Kovalenko. We’ll reverse a bit back to late Toronto, Montreal and the East Coast.
With a large family of our own nearby February and early March of 2022. After There was dispersion to other urban
and six friendly grandchildren from 8 to combing the internet for ways in which areas of the provinces as well.
2 years old for support and friendship; a we could help, we eventually found that We cross-posted on a variety of sites
the quickest and most helpful resources and through that were able to help many

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