For a second year in a row, volunteers helping Made by Momma and Calgary’s Ukrainian community packed up turkeys with all the trimmings to make sure that a few families that would have gone without, don’t.

Alongside every donation, a brand new copy of Monopoly—a favourite of Maxim Olshevsky, the CEO of Astra Group who organized the Christmas donations.

It was in the spirit of gratitude that he was aiming to give Christmas feast to 150 families, up from 85 in 2022, and try and make the season a little more positive, said Olshevsky.

“It’s really important for us to understand that Christmas and the end of the year is a very special holiday and it’s time when families come together. It’s time when we reflect on what we can be grateful for. The more grateful we are for things, the more we should give back,” he said.

“It’s easy to get consumed by all the negativity out there in the world, but it’s during Christmas and New Years that we must stay positive, we must give back and make a place a little bit better. That’s what I think is valuable during Christmas time.”

They wanted to take the pressure off for at least one evening and let families be families. That led Olshevsky to choose, for a second year, donations to Made by Momma and the Ukrainians of Calgary Association.

“I’m a big supporter of anybody who supports families, anybody who wants to give a break to the social aspect of the family, and that’s really important for me and aligned with our company values,” Olshevsky said.

“My heritage is, of course, from Ukraine and with all the newcomers that are coming and at the same time that Ukrainians are affected by the war, it just another way to show appreciation for the hard-working people that are immigrating here and starting their life. We just want to do a warm welcome to them as well.”

The volunteers, some 20 members of the Astra Group staff, made an assembly line at Urban Fare in the Beltline early Friday morning to prepare gift packages.

Todd McMullen, store manager for the Mount Royal Urban Fare said that they became involved in providing the turkeys and trimmings after they were approached to see if they could help stretch the dollars used to provide the meals this year. It was initially supposed to be 100 baskets, but they were able to get the cost down and help 150 families.

“The Made by Momma organization approached us and wanted to get some costing to find the best value to support the most amount of families, and we came to the table and we reduced most of our stuff to our costs,” he said.

“We just want people to be able to have quality family time, create some memories with their family. If we can lessen the impact of the cost of living for anybody right now, we’re absolutely willing to do that.”

Leanne Shaw, Assistance Coordinator for Made by Momma was thankful for the help families would get this Christmas.

“Our families have definitely been affected by the rising cost of groceries, and this gift is such a lovely gesture and greatly appreciated,” she said.

The gift of Monopoly was because of Olshevsky’s love of the game—a game he said had taught him many lessons that led to his career in real estate.

“Monopoly is quite special for me because some of the best memories I’ve had with my family were playing Monopoly game after dinners. Over time, that game became a passion that translated into my career in real estate. Eventually, my family stopped playing with me, but that’s a whole other story,” he laughed.

“I just think it’s a great game to bring people together so they’re just not glued to a TV screen. It’s an interactive game. It really helps teach kids how to interact in the world, how to negotiate, think strategically, and I think those are all amazing skills to develop.”

Support felt strongly by Ukrainians

That sense of gratitude was also shared by the Ukrainian community.

Olga Matsula, President of the parish council for St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor, said that there have been evacuees coming to Canada who have not yet been able to establish themselves.

That feeling of support has been diminished over the past year, as the war against Ukraine by the Russian Federation has stretched on, she said.

“I would think it goes it’s going to provide them some hope, and some joy because they can feel that support. They are still supported by the wider Calgary community in their effort to establish their life here in Calgary,” Matsula said.

Economically, Matsula said, many Ukrainians who have come to the city have left highly skilled and well-paying professions back in their home country, and have been forced to take low-paying jobs in Canada to survive.

“Their earnings basically are just good enough to pay for the rent, with maybe something like $100 left,” she said.

“It’s really hard for them and for their families at home, because we have to not forget that they also have families back home and they do support them as well. Some of them have husbands fighting over there. It’s hard for them both emotionally and economically, so getting the support—not only the food support—it’s also a message to them, it’s saying we still love you.”