On March 9th, 2022, Reit-Syd Equipment helped kickstart the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund with a $25,000 donation.
More than a year later, they've made another substantial donation to help the fund continue bringing families to the Parkland.
Reit-Syd Equipment General Manager Don Tarrant, joined by all of the company's employees, donated another $25,000 to the fund. Tarrant says while the donation is coming from the company, it's thanks to all of the hard work of their staff.
"It's not possible without the crew here today, or the team at Reit-Syd working very hard every day, earning customer loyalty, and also the income. We're donating back as a whole group."
Tarrant says that the continued generosity from the community has meant the fund has been able to continue helping families move to the area, with more than 30 families now in Parkland.
"I figured that we would have very good support, and the support has been more than expected actually. It's coming from everyone that feels like they can contribute. If they've got something specific, they've figured out how to put that into it, whether it's cash or gifts in kind."
Tarrant added that the families who have come to the area with the help of the fund are already settling in.
"They're settling in really really well, they're getting employed, we're seeing jobs that were posted that didn't have anyone to fill the spots getting filled. So I think it's a huge positive impact for the Parkland economy."
The Family Fund has scaled back the support they're offering new families, but its volunteers are still working to help people fleeing Ukraine find housing, jobs, and anything else they need in the Parkland.
You can get more information about the Fund, by calling Larry at 204-648-5904.