Moose Jaw's Ukraine support rally saw a huge crowd and a generous influx of donations during the hour-long program on Sunday, April 10th. 

Over 100 people gathered in Cresent Park wearing blue and yellow, holding signs, and waving flags in support of local Ukrainians and their families that are overseas. 

"I think the rally was perfect and we picked a perfect day unknowingly for it, I mean it was windy (and) chilly but it beat snow. So, that was good," says Ray Rawlyk, Central Collegiate History Teacher as well as Producer and Host of the rally. 

Rawlyk says the rally wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the help of Mayor Clive Tolley, City Manager Jim Puffalt, faculty and volunteers from Central Collegiate, the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council, Devo's Dogs, and several sponsors from local businesses. 

The event started with the singing of the Ukrainian Anthem and the Canadian Anthem by Central student Reese Nelson. 

Volunteers from Central Collegiate were selling miniature Ukrainian flags for donations.

Then, the event featured Masha Kotova, Anastasiya Horpinchenko, Mila Kyslytsia, Amy Lunov, and Sergii Kovalchuk who are all local Ukrainians. They spoke to the crowd about their experiences and how local people can help those fighting and fleeing the invasion of Russia.  

Between their speeches, the Tavria School of Ukrainian Dance from Regina put on 3 performances that demonstrated exciting Ukrainian culture through music and dance. 

The Moose Jaw Multicultural Council was also collecting donations while Devo's Dogs sold food to the supporters. Devo's Dogs donated 100% of their proceeds from the event. 

The event worked in tandem with City Council's public dinner, which was held the week prior, to raise funds for the Redcross and its humanitarian efforts that are on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

The events have raised over $12,000 for the Redcross. 

"For a 1-hour program, that's phenomenal. And that wasn't even our primary purpose. Our primary purpose was simply to get the local speakers to share their stories so that they would feel the love and support of Moose Jaw but also so that Moose Jaw would know that the war has effects right here, right now for many people," says Rawlyk. 

Discover Moose Jaw documented the entire event which can be viewed in the video below.