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STANDING UP FOR THE CHILDREN OF UKRAINE': SERVICE AT NIAGARA FALLS CHURCH

LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS JOIN DIGNITARIES, SERVICE CLUBS IN SHOW OF SOLIDARITY

PAUL FORSYTH pforsyth@niagarathisweek.com

Lions club runners from Europe, dignitaries and members of the Niagara branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress hoped that by gathering at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Niagara Falls—a city known around the world as a bucket list destination for travellers—they'll be able to push supporting the children of Ukraine and bring peace in that country to the forefront.

The 104th annual Lions international convention will be held in Montreal from June 24-28, bringing together Lions from all corners of the world. Mark Anthony King of Niagara Falls, a Lions Club member, said it's tradition for some Lions members who are heading to the gathering to take part in a 1,000-kilometre run marathon over a week to promote and fundraise for a cause as they run through cities in the host country.

This year, Lions members are focusing on efforts to help the children of Ukraine where so much death and suffering has taken place since the invasion by Russia began on Feb. 24.

"This year we're standing up for the children of Ukraine," said King, who organized the runners' visit to the falls.

Some of the runners decided they wanted to increase

news coverage for the run and the cause, while visiting the world wonder. King said coverage of the war has been fading

from headlines in the Western world in recent weeks.

"While visiting Niagara Falls they hoped they could bring some additional

awareness," he said. "It's sickening what (Ukrainians) are going through, so many dying daily."

Other Niagara service club representatives were also at Monday's gathering in a show of solidarity for Ukraine, said King. "It's any service or community group wanting to come and stand up for Ukraine. They're calling it Solidarity for Ukraine."

Rising interest rates, inflation and other issues have pushed coverage of the still-raging war in Ukraine off front pages and to the back of national TV new coverage if it even gets mentioned nowadays. King and the Lions—a massive, worldwide service club organization—hope to change that.

"That's why we're trying to pull it back" into the news and get support for these children and refugees, said King. "The Lions aren't going to just let it disappear."

Monday's event included a brief service and prayer of solidarity and peace for Ukraine.

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2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

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