The Ukrainian community in Kamloops will be marking the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine this Friday, Feb. 24.

It will start at noon with an hour long gathering near the Campus Activity Centre at Thompson Rivers University, where people can share stories and words of solidarity with Ukraine and its people.

Kamloops Stand with Ukraine spokesperson Oleksandr Kondrashov tells NL News the day’s events will then continue with a gathering in front of city hall with people being told to wear blue and yellow and to bring Ukrainian flags.

“They will come at 3:30 and we will be waving flags and we also are making storks, nightingales, and cranes,” he said. “We’ll have 365 and that is to symbolize the number of days of resistance of Ukrainian people and people around the world who are standing with Ukraine.”

“[All three birds] are symbols of Ukraine. Each of them have very important parts to the cultural connection because we want to make sure that our message is heard. We cannot be there physically with people but we will stay spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.”

Kondrashov says the group – which has been raising awareness about the war and supporting refugees – will end the day with a online vigil on Zoom starting at 7 p.m..

Group members have been gathering outside city hall for the past year staging rallies in support of Ukraine. They remain there until they’ve counted at least 500 cars pass by, with some drivers honking or waving while others show piece signs.

“We stand every Saturday but because its the 24th, its the one-year anniversary and we want to make sure that we stand with Ukraine on the day when Russia invaded,” Kondrashov said. “We don’t know how many people will come [on any given day because of the weather and things like that], but we will stand at City Hall every Saturday until Ukraine wins.”

He also notes there will be a fundraiser on April 1 at the Hills of Peace Lutheran Church in Upper Sahali, to raise money for a new scholarship fund for future TRU students.

Kondrashov says the goal of the fundraiser is to raise $25,000 to help both Ukrainian and domestic students who “stand for Ukraine” in some way, shape, or form.