Spark Group’s Heidi Van Roon makes powerful and poignant contribution to Travel Retail United humanitarian fund for Ukraine : The Moodie Davitt Report

UKRAINE/CANADA. Heidi Van Roon, Founder & President of Canadian travel retail recruitment, staffing and training specialist The Spark Group of Companies, has made a C$3,000 donation to Travel Retail United*, the humanitarian fundraising project for the people of Ukraine announced by The Moodie Davitt Report last week.

The project and the war-torn crisis have a powerful resonance for her.

As the only family member to make it to the West, her two-year journey and emigration to Canada was made possible through others. I have a life filled with opportunity and privilege.

As history is repeating itself, the cause hits very close to home and the least I can do is to raise my hand and say that every effort counts. Without NGOs, I wouldn't have the opportunities that I have.

In an excerpt from her message to be published in a special Travel Retail United publication, she said, "It is my privilege to respond to the Travel Retail United campaign providing humanitarian relief to families, women and children in crisis."

Thank you to The Moodie Davitt Report for the initiative that so appropriately united the international community of travel retail. We can help those in crisis. This is the time because every dollar, every deed, and every effort is worth something in someone's life and in many lives.

Ukrainian roots have helped shape her life.

In 1944, Anna and three of her children were with her mother. Her father and brothers were taken to work camps. The remaining children were raised by Anna's blind mother. Anna's journal from January 1945 shows her journey as a refugee. Anna is in Amsterdam. She decided to emigrate to Canada because she lost contact with her family.

In 1952 two refugees, Anna and Gerhard (born in Poland) found each other in Aldergrove BC. They married (above left) and started their new life in a country of opportunity and freedom. Anna worked graveyard shifts to send care packages to her family members in Russia and in Ukraine.

They worked for NGOs the majority of their married life. Anna participated in 27 humanitarian trips to Ukraine after her husband's death. She became an advocate, translator and fundraiser for projects such as orphanages, churches and housing for seniors after learning the language again. Anna moved into long-term care due to Alzheimer's.

She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after the war. She offers to pay for her apple juice at snack time.

She has been through the COVID lockdowns and the implications on seniors care during the Pandemic. She overcame another hurdle and was playing bingo in the dining hall two weeks after testing positive.

She is my inspiration for everything I do, if she can make a difference in so many people's lives with the little means she had, then I certainly can with the resources I have.

Anna's story will be told in full in the Travel Retail United publication.

*How to support Travel Retail United

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) will receive all revenues raised. Ukranian families will be helped by donations with food, water, hygiene items and other vital supplies.

• Donors can pledge/donate anonymously

Or.

• As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report is also producing a special apolitical publication to accompany the project. Instead of traditional advertising, donors (individuals or companies) can provide an appropriately humanitarian or peace-related image (photo, painting or drawing) or a piece of writing (poem, excerpt or original message) to appear besides a subtly positioned brand logo (if required). The digital publication is strictly humanitarian and not political in nature. All content will reflect that fact.

There is no fixed price for anything, but please be generous. The Moodie Davitt Report will be making a substantial cash donation as well as absorbing all design, editorial and distribution costs. Every cent raised will go to the fund.