A local businessman and his family are working to help two Ukrainian families start a new life in Canada.
Kingsville-area businesses have jumped in to help execute the Kyiv Home Project, and an agenda item at Monday night's town council meeting will request additional support.
Gary Taveirne is creating a home in the Woodbridge Estates subdivision in Cottam to help provide shelter and necessities for a pair of families fleeing the war in Ukraine. He told WindsorNewsToday.ca that his connection to the subdivision helped get him started.
"All the lots had been sold already, but I was able to claw one back, so to speak," said Taveirne. "I made the call to BK Cornerstone, which has been a customer of ours for a long time and can build a beautiful home. And as soon as I asked them 'Would you help me out on this project?', there was no hesitation."
Taveirne began creating the concept of building a new two-unit home two months ago. It will be 1,400-square feet with separate living quarters for the two families. BK Cornerstone has agreed to build the home for free, and several other businesses have also signed on to provide their services at no cost.
He said he was inspired by the courage of families fleeing Ukraine for Poland.
"They had lost their homes, and just the fear in their faces and their eyes, and the kids," said Taveirne. "We have five kids, and it hit home. Then the frustration settled in, and there was nothing, it seemed, that you could do."
Additional inspiration came from the Topcagic family, who fled war-torn Bosnia and settled in Canada in 1997. Today, the family has its roots in Windsor-Essex with children and grandchildren.
Taveirne and his daughter Jennifer are scheduled to speak in front of Kingsville Town Council Monday night when they will provide a presentation and ask the town to waive the fees associated with the build.
Complete information on the Kyiv Home Project, and how people can support it and donate, can be found on its official website.