Sunflowers have quickly taken on new global significance. Sunflowers are annual plants with easily recognized yellow flowers. They have long been the national flower of Ukraine and has become a symbol of peace, unity, and support everywhere.
How the sunflower became the national flower of Ukraine
A few hundred years ago, the Orthodox Church forbade the use of butter or lard for cooking during Lent. At the same time, sunflowers were gaining popularity in Ukraine, and the use of sunflower oil quickly became a viable alternative. Ukraine is now a world leader in sunyashniki (sunflower in Ukrainian) seed and oil production.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Canadians are getting creative in raising money for charities and organizations that are assisting the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Sunflowers of Support
Corey Bullock/Cranbrook Townsman
West Coast Seeds
Bag of West Coast Sunflower seeds
West Coast Seeds, a popular British Columbia based seed company, is donating 100% of proceeds from their online sunflower seed packet sales to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal during the month of March. Funds will be donated towards preparedness, relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency and other humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and surrounding countries. The campaign is called ‘Sunflowers of Support’ and has already raised more than $21,000 in the first few days. To shop sunflower seeds through West Coast Seeds, visit here
thestar.com
Jill Alexander
Jill Alexander holding and in front of eight sunflower paintings.
Ottawa Valley painter, Jill Alexander auctioned eight unique sunflower paintings, most in colours of Ukraine, for proceeds to go to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.
cbc.ca
Karen Hiebert
Stencils and paintings of sunflowers along snowbanks by Karen Hiebert.
Karen Hiebert based in Manitoba, is simply displaying solidarity for Ukraine by using stencils and paint to create a garden of sunflowers along the snowbanks bordering her driveway.
Other ways Canadians are fundraising for Ukraine
Photo by Max Manley
Max Manley
3D printing figure of Ukrainian President made by Max Manley.
Max Manley is collecting the sales of his 3D printing figures to donate to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. A figurine called ‘The Hero of the Golden Fields’ is a reference of Ukraine’s wheat fields and is modelled after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Photo by Jackie Klobucar
Jackie Klobucar
Digital artwork by Jackie Klobucar
Jackie Klobucar, an illustrator from British Columbia, is donating money she makes from selling her digital artwork online to a charity called Together Rising, which supports BIPOC and LGBTQ communities in Ukraine.
In addition, businesses such as Toque Brewing, a craft beer maker in Winnipeg, is creating a small batch of a special hopped lager with all proceeds going to the Canadian Ukraine Foundation.
As well, Calgary’s Rosso Coffee Roasters is selling bags of coffee and will give proceeds to the Humanitarian Coalition for food, water, shelter, medical supplies, and other resources in Ukraine.
Whether it be sowing sunflower seeds, purchasing sunflowers, and supporting each other and organizations, together we are demonstrating solidarity with Ukrainians - showing love, concerns, and a longing for peace.
Interested in learning how to sow and grow sunflowers? Visit here.