Nearly 500 Christmas cards heading to Ukraine from County campaign

With the 492 handwritten cards are Mayor Steve Ferguson with Sarah Harvey, programs and services assistant, and Don Leslie, Picton Rotary and Krasyliv working group member.

UPDATE: Nearly 500 handwritten Christmas cards were sent to Krasyliv, Ukraine as the beginning of the County’s Friendship City Agreement with the Krasylivka Urban Territorial Community in Ukraine.

Through the agreement, both communities will work to foster mutual understanding and plan joint efforts in the areas of arts, culture, education, sports, youth services, tourism, environment, public health, and business development.

The Rotary Club of Picton has partnered with the Krasyliv Friendship City Working Group as its sponsoring organization.

County Christmas card campaign to show support of Ukrainian friendship

NOV. 10: The County is kicking off its Friendship City Agreement with the Krasylivka Urban Territorial Community in Ukraine by inviting the community to participate in a Christmas card campaign.

“As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth winter with no end in sight, it’s more important than ever to demonstrate our support and solidarity for the Ukrainian people,” said Mayor Steve Ferguson. “I am pleased that Prince Edward County has deepened its special relationship with the Krasylivka Urban Territorial Community through this friendship agreement. The Christmas card campaign, supported by our amazing volunteers, is a wonderful way to brighten the season for the people of Krasyliv.”

County residents are encouraged to sign Christmas cards collaboratively designed by local artist Laurie Scott and Krasyliv Friendship City Working Group member Roxanne Mackenzie. The working group will send the cards to Krasyliv community members, including students in the city.

This inaugural act of friendly community exchange and outreach is the first of many efforts to come, to engage in opportunities that include culture, education and youth services engagement.

Christmas cards will be available at the Shire Hall customer service desk, the first floor of The Edward Building, Unit 101, and at Prince Edward County library branches.

Participants are asked to sign the card, keep notes light, cheerful and kind, and drop in the box provided. Drawing a picture, also welcome.

The Christmas cards will be available to sign until Thursday, Nov. 20 so that they can be delivered to Ukraine in time for the holiday.

The Friendship City Agreement is the first of its kind for Prince Edward County. In January 2023, council passed a motion to investigate establishing a twin-city relationship with a community in Ukraine of comparable size. This initiative followed a donation to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal in March 2022. The Ukrainian flag continues to fly at Shire Hall in support of the people impacted by the Russian invasion.

Through the friendship agreement, both parties will work to foster mutual understanding and plan joint efforts in the areas of arts, culture, education, sports, youth services, tourism, environment, public health, and business development.

“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to develop partnership relations between our communities and are confident that this will mark the beginning of a meaningful and long-term collaboration, built on mutual respect, trust, and friendship,” said Nila Ostrovska, Mayor of Krasylivka Urban Territorial Community.

Prince Edward County and Krasyliv share a connection dating back to 2019. A delegation of elected Ukrainian officials including Mayor Ostrovska came to Prince Edward County as part of Ukraine: Partnership for Local Economic Development and Democratic Governance. The program, implemented by FCM and financed by Global Affairs Canada, worked to strengthen local governments and create a better future for communities in Ukraine.

The municipality has established Friendship City Working Group to implement the community-based aspects of the agreement. The working group has joined with the Rotary Club of Picton to advance these efforts .

Inquiries related to the Krasyliv Friendship City Christmas card campaign can be emailed to friendshipcity@pecounty.on.ca