Suzanne’s of Paris makes donation to Ukrainian charity

By Casandra Turnbull

A downtown business owner has a big heart when it comes to supporting charities. Her latest endeavour involved a $2,000 donation to the Canadian Ukrainian Logistics Division (CULD).

Leah Thomas, owner of Suzanne’s of Paris, recently donated proceeds from the sale of custom-designed sequined Ukrainian hearts to the Division. CULD helps to coordinate, develop, organize and deliver assistance projects generated by Canadians and directed to Ukraine They assist in establishing priorities and developing projects that will maximize the impact and cost effectiveness and act as a forum that brings together individuals and organizations from the community, private and

public sectors, interested in aiding Ukraine

The idea developed last year Thomas wanted to support citizens in Ukrainian, on a humanitarian level, but also a personal one as her close friend Andera Berestovenko is Ukrainian and has extensive family still living in Ukraine. Berestovenko, a Financial Security Advisor serving Brantford, Brant County and Southwestern Ontario, has been close friends with Thomas for many years and said loves to shop at her store whenever she can. She was honoured to be a part of the donation.

“I am proud Ukrainian. Leah sold the hearts through her store Suzanne’s of Paris and decided to donate the proceeds of the sales to a charity and she asked me to help her find one,” explained Berestovenko.

Thomas, who owns and operates the downtown women’s clothing store, had the sequined hearts (seen in the picture) designed by London area jeweller Jacqueline Kent. Over 50 hearts were sold with $5 from each sale going to the Ukrainian charity. Thomas topped up the donation to $1,000 and Berestovenko matched that donation. Thomas asked Berestovenko to help find a charity that had ‘boots on the ground,’ to help people directly affected by the war with Russia

The Canadian Ukrainian Logistics Division was a perfect fit.

“The CULD was co-founded by a friend of mine, Steve Longer. Steve is an OPP officer who spent a year living in Ukraine, working with local police and training their motorcycle policing division,” said Berestovenko.

On Saturday, Longer visited Suzanne’s of Paris to formally accept and acknowledge the donation Located in the heart of the town, Suzanne’s of Paris has been in the business of fabulous fashion, at any age, for more than 37 years.

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