Author honoured by Ukraine army group

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This article was published 19/02/2024 (977 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An author with roots in southeast Manitoba was honoured by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for his contribution to the war effort.

Harry Hawryshko, who grew up on a mixed farm near Zhoda, completed his second book titled See the good, Know the good, Do the good, Can we do better? in September 2022.

He said right from the beginning of writing the book which sold well throughout the Southeast, he had planned to give back.

He found his connection with Myloserdia Canada, a Winnipeg based non-profit dedicated to helping Ukrainians in need.

The organization describes the meaning of Myloserdia as being kind hearted, empathetic, willing to help those in need and being humanitarian.

The non-profit was formed in August 2000 and since then has supplied food, clothing, school supplies, medical supplies, wheelchairs and financial support to those in Ukraine and to families who have immigrated to Canada.

Hawryshko donated $9 per book, even going as far as using his own funds to contribute for the books that remain to be sold and those which were sold, but which he has yet to receive the money for.

Based on 350 books published, Hawryshko’s donation was $3,150.

A recent invitation to the home of members of Myloserdia Canada, brought with it a surprise, recognition in the form of a certificate and video that showed where his money went.

Funds were used to purchase a Jeep which will be retrofitted for use on the front lines.

Hawryshko was presented with a certificate from Col. Mykola Chumak, commander of Army Unit A4007 who thanked him for his support for the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“Your active position in society, your initiative, your respect for the Ukrainian people and support of those who protect the Ukrainian government and demonstrate true heroism during days of struggle for the freedom and unity of Ukraine, gives us faith and motivation as we fight Russian aggression and rid our country of the invaders,” a translated version of the framed certificate said.

It was an emotional presentation for Hawryshko.

“I was stunned,” he admitted. “I was surprised and emotional.”

With his Ukrainian ancestry, Hawryshko said the decision to donate to Ukraine was an obvious one.

“We lean and help out where help is needed,” he said. “We’ve been doing that all of our lives.”

While the war in Ukraine has largely slipped from the front pages, it’s remained front and centre for Hawryshko.

“I just constantly think about it,” he said. “We’re watching what’s going on.”

He commended those involved in Myloserdia.

“We feel their pain when they are talking about home and they are not giving up,” he said. “They are doing a lot and they are inspiring others to do the same.”

Copies of See the good, Know the good, Do the good, Can we do better? are still available by emailing hshawryshko@hotmail.com.

This is his second book, the first called Soul Legacy featured his original poetry and was published in 2013.