The Unite with Ukraine initiative of the Ukrainian World Congress, the Serhiy Prytula Charitable Foundation, and the 412th Brigade NEMESIS have launched a joint tour across Canada and the United States. The One United Fundraiser — Єдинозбір 2026 campaign officially kicked off in Toronto.
The first event of the charity tour took place on Jan. 22 in the conference hall of the Old Mill Hotel. Among the hundreds of attendees were community activists and volunteers, representatives of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress at the national, provincial, and local levels, philanthropists, and members of the Ukrainian diaspora representing all waves of immigration. The fundraiser also received support from local schoolchildren, who donated funds collected during traditional Christmas caroling, as well as from children of a Toronto theatre studio who staged a charity performance and contributed the proceeds to the campaign.
Civic leader and volunteer Serhiy Prytula, service members Oleksandr Yarmak and Volodymyr Horodnychyi, President of the Ukrainian World Congress Paul Grod, and Head of the Unite with Ukraine initiative Andrew Potichnyj will also meet with Ukrainian communities in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Chicago.
“We source, purchase, and manage logistics for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but we need the first push from people — your donation. Love Ukraine with all your heart, and love it to the depth of your pocket, because right now both small and large contributions are saving lives every single day and night,” Serhiy Prytula said during a panel discussion in Toronto.
In partnership with Saint Javelin, and with the support of MEEST and local sponsors, the Ukrainian-Canadian team is raising funds to procure interceptor drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The One United Fundraiser has already become the largest defense-focused fundraiser since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Its goal is to purchase drones capable of intercepting enemy Shahed drones and to fully equip operator crews.
“Intercepting Shahed drones has become an urgent necessity in modern warfare. For Ukraine, it was critical to find an affordable and effective technical solution to counter these attacks. Our unit has developed such a solution, and now it needs to be scaled for wider military use. Volunteer foundations are carrying a significant share of this effort, which is why support for fundraisers like this one is absolutely vital,” said Oleksandr Yarmak, Battalion Commander of the 412th Nemesis Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during a meeting with the business community of UCPBA and the Ukrainian Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
This critical equipment directly saves Ukrainian lives, protects cities, and helps sustain the country’s energy and civilian infrastructure. The campaign’s shared goal is to raise 1 billion UAH, approximately $24 million USD.
“Since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, regular fundraising in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been a top priority for the Ukrainian World Congress. We firmly believe that before discussing reconstruction or other global tasks of the Ukrainian community, we must stop the aggressor. Since 2022, the Unite with Ukraine initiative has raised over $100 million, which has been used to procure equipment for Ukraine’s defenders. We are deeply grateful to everyone for their support and call on you to continue supporting diaspora organizations that take responsibility for equipping our military,” said Paul Grod, President of the World Congress of Ukrainians.
The Ukrainian World Congress and the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation would like to thank our Presenting Sponsor Meest Canada & Meest USA, our sponsors; Ukrainian Credit Union Ltd, ICS Facility Services, The Heritage Foundation of First Security Federal Savings Bank, Rodan Energy Solutions, Blue Tactical LLC and BCU Financial Group.
Additionally, the Myhal Family Foundation has made a transformative commitment to the fundraising tour with a $500,000 CAD matching donation, doubling the impact of every contribution in support of protecting Ukraine’s civilians, cities, and energy infrastructure from Shahed drone attacks. This extraordinary show of leadership and solidarity significantly strengthens the fundraiser’s ability to deliver real, measurable results on the ground. We extend our deepest gratitude to George Myhal and Rayla Myhal, and to the entire Myhal Family, for their generosity, vision, and unwavering commitment to Ukraine and its people at this critical moment.
Supporters can contribute to the One United Fundraiser by making a donation of any amount through the project’s website or by attending an event in their city during January–February 2026.
- Winnipeg — January 26
- Edmonton — January 28
- Calgary — January 29
- New York — January 30
- Philadelphia — January 31
- Washington, DC — February 3
- Chicago — February 5
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