Kitchener man accepting donations for Ukraine despite vandalism
Posted Mar 15, 2022 07:09:00 PM.
A Kitchener man is collecting donations for Ukraine in the face of vandalism.
It all started with a desire to help.
Paul Normandeau, who lives in the Idlewood neighbourhood phoned a Ukrainian church that agreed to bring donations to Ukraine.
He placed nine signs around his neighbourhood.
“(The signs) saying 'help Ukraine.' And then in a big, gigantic box, I put it in my driveway saying 'just put all the donations in the driveway.' Next Sunday, we'll take up the donations,” explained Normandeau.
But, he found all his signs defaced with the letter “Z” Tuesday morning.
The letter has been used as a pro-war symbol in support of Russia.
“This is a little setback. We just brush it off and we just keep going. We can't change hate. There's nothing we can do about that. We've just got to keep going,” Normandeau said, undeterred by the vandalism.
He said his neighbour caught a man on camera and police have been notified.
“We need first-aid kits, sleeping bags, and new clothes for kids from ages zero to five,” Normandeau added.
The Kitchener resident said all the donations collected so far are safe and he's thanking the community for an outpouring of support.
He's already had to empty the donation box three times since putting it out over the weekend.
Normandeau is accepting donations at 205 Briarmeadow Drive.
On Tuesday afternoon, police confirmed they are investigating the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call Waterloo Regional Police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
