When news broke about Russia invading Ukraine on Feb. 24, McLeod knew she wanted to do something to help, she just wasn’t sure what.
As a member of the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha and an avid fundraiser for multiple charities, when one of her flower suppliers, Bell Floral in Bowmanville, sent an email saying all proceeds from sunflower orders would be donated to the Red Cross McLeod knew what to do.
“I thought ‘this is perfect’ I purchased sunflowers from that supplier and put it out there that we were donating all the proceeds from our sales to Ukrainian Relief,” said McLeod. “It’s taken off from there. I am really humbled by the response of people who have also been looking for a way to help.”
McLeod notes that some people buying sunflowers are of Ukrainian descent and are heartbroken for their country, some are watching the news and don’t know how to help and some just know it’s the right thing to do.
“I had one gentleman come in, give me money and say ‘just pay it foreword, give the flowers to someone who might want them’. It’s so Peterborough.”
