Chris Goertzen looks back on 1 year since beginning of war in Ukraine

This weekend marks one year since the war in Ukraine started.  

Chris Goertzen of the Ukrainian Settlement Task Force remembers when talk of the war began. 

He’s on a foundation that is involved in Ukraine, and so he was very aware of what was happening there. 

“We heard clearly that the war was imminent. And then when it actually happened, it became very real as people that we knew had tanks in the streets, in front of their homes.” 

He says war used to be quite distant, but this year it's become very much on our doorstep. 

“In Steinbach, we have so many Ukrainians who have come here to flee the war, and now we're here to help.” 

He says the war became very real very fast to see places he has stepped foot at now turned into a war-zone.  

“What's shocking is when you see places you've been in, in direct conflict or having tanks rolling right through in front of our offices,” he says. “To have soldiers right there in those places where we ourselves have stepped, and where many of our relatives have stepped in the past.” 

They knew that they needed to step up and help people as much as they could. 

About a month and half after the war started, people in Steinbach started noticing Ukrainian refugees in the community that looked rather lost and that weren't sure where to go for help.  

He says it wasn’t long before a number of people got together and decided to create a task force. 

“We know that people want to help, we know that there's many resources for newcomers here in Steinbach,” he says. “Let's consolidate that information. Let's consolidate that help. And step up for these Ukrainian families who are fleeing war.” 

So many people, businesses, and organizations have stepped up in the last year. 

Goertzen says it’s been so great to see the community come together and want to help. 

“We have over 100 families in Steinbach making their home here. And whether it's furniture, rides to appointments, helping with English, or gift cards for groceries, all those things have been happening and people have been so generous.” 

He says it's amazing how community can provide a hope of light in the darkness. 

“War is tragic, and we've been very much reminded of that it. It destroys lives. It separates families. People die. And yet there's also hope,” he says. “People step up. People want to help. People have compassion, and that's been so great to say this year.” 

Goertzen says another thing that's been great to see is Ukrainians themselves stepping up.  

“There are 300 plus people here from Ukraine and so they've kind of created their own groups, their own support network, and that's been great to see.” 

The task force is accepting donations, and currently they are especially in need of furniture. 

Drop-off days are on the evenings of March 7th and 21st from 5-8pm at the distribution center, behind Southland Church, near the soccer park. 

With files from Dave Anthony