A Ukrainian family from NL. can “be part of this community” thanks to an anonymous donation of $8,900

When Yevheniia Alosha of St. John’s set up a GoFundMe page to pay for a new car, she didn’t expect to receive an anonymous donation of almost $9,000.

Alosha started fundraising two weeks ago after her family’s car broke down due to transmission and handbrake failure. Then, a week later, she received a notification about a new donation.

« I think I cried a little, » Alosha said, her eyes filling with tears again.

« I was like, ‘Oh my God,’ to my husband, ‘Oh my God, oh my God. Look, someone gives so much.’ … Thank you very much. Whoever that person is, I will pray to God for the health, for the well-being of that person. »

With the $8,900 donation, the donor nearly met the $10,000 fundraising goal that Alosha had set.

Alosha, her husband and four-year-old son lived in a small town near Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, before coming to St. John’s in June, fleeing the country after the Russian invasion in February.

After almost four months of filling out paperwork and finding jobs and childcare, Alosha said the couple decided to buy a used car with their savings.

« We were very excited. We can finally get around to explore St. John’s a bit and meet other Canadian families and just be in the community more, » Alosha said.

Yet when the car broke down a month later, the mechanic told the couple it wasn’t worth fixing.

This was devastating news for the family. A car, Alosha said, means they can participate as full members of their new home – go to work, earn a living and be stable.

“It will help us to be part of this community,” Alosha said.

Although Alosha said she doesn’t mind taking the bus, her new job as a flight attendant with PAL Airlines means she has to be able to get to the airport at all hours.

We’re just tryna get that little money to get up– Yevhenia Alosha

However, the family has yet to receive the money. Alosha said she was told the platform needed to verify where the money came from and on which online platforms she shared the fundraiser link.

« I know there are a lot of scams out there and people just ask ‘Oh for Ukraine,’ but actually they don’t… There’s a lot going on. But we’ll never ask, » said said Alosha.

« We’re just trying to get that bit of money to get up. »

As to who the anonymous donor might be, Alosha is in the dark.

« I have no idea, » she laughed. « [It] is just someone who shares and shares, and I guess someone was helpful enough to do that. »

Alosha and her husband are grateful for all the help they have received, big or small, since arriving in the province.

« I just want to thank everyone for the help…and just understanding the whole situation. Just people wanting to be a part of your life, just to help you out, » Alosha said.

« And of course, with this help, in the future, when I get up, I also want to help people in need. »

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