Partnering with Local Companies to Provide Support to Those Affected by the War
As a Canadian company, Musket's origins are similar to many other companies, having been established by immigrants, and today continue to train and employ generational Canadians, immigrants, and refugees.
Musket has set up an internal committee to spearhead Ukrainian humanitarian projects and handle internal communication with any employees who may be affected by the war, either directly or indirectly. The committee includes Musket Corporate Communications Officer, Sophia Sniegowski Begidzhanov; Vice President of Technology, Adrian Balij; Health & Safety Manager, Daryn Rabb; and GM/Director of Operations, Jaime Rosa.
"Musket Transport made a commitment early on that we stand with Ukraine in support of peace and stability," stated Begidzhanov. "Due to our establishment history, many of our employees are of Slavic origin and it is important for us to come together and assist where possible. Most recently, we decided to partner up with our customer, Polimex Forwarding Corp., to gather donated goods at our facilities and ship them to Poland and Ukraine as a part of our humanitarian effort. Our goal is to fill an entire shipping container worth of donations from the public and from our teams at Musket and Polimex."
The partnership with Polimex Forwarding Corp is centered around the collection of goods at the company's facilities in Toronto and Mississauga. This initiative is open to the public, so anyone who wants to contribute is welcome to drop off goods to any drop-off location. The goal is to collect one shipping container worth of goods, which will then be shipped to the Lions Club organization and a Cyclone Manufacturing warehouse to be distributed to Poland as well as Lviv, Kijev, and Ternopil.
"Polimex is proud to team up with Musket Transport and join this incredible community movement to help the Ukrainian refugees in Poland," says Kris Manitius, Vice President of Polimex. "As a Polish-Canadian shipping company, we are deeply connected to Europe and are therefore dedicated to share our experience, logistical expertise, and support in order to provide humanitarian aid to the war-torn people of Ukraine. We're also really moved by the generosity and kindness of Polish people and organizations who extended a helping hand to the people in need. We continue to stand with Ukraine against this war and believe that in this difficult time every donation and act of kindness matter."
In addition to the Polimex partnership, Musket Transport has already donated $10,000 to the Canadian Red Cross—Ukraine Humanitarian Crises Appeal, a donation project with all funds raised being matched by the Canadian Government.
Musket Transport is also setting up a free training program for 25 Ukrainian refugees through their sister company, Commercial Heavy Equipment Training (CHET), and are looking forward to welcoming Ukrainians to Ontario, Canada with training and employment opportunities already in place.
Smaller sponsorships are also being setup including aiding smaller organizations and/or individuals inside and outside the company, sponsoring various volunteer soldier brigades that are flying to Ukraine by providing supplies, and donating funds to aid a private effort to deliver refugees from Ukraine to Poland.
Monetary donations are also being collected to go towards Happy Kids—an organization in Poland that founded 19 orphanages across the country and are now safely evacuating and settling Ukrainian orphans in their facilities in Poland.
Find out more about how you can lend your support and help fill the shipping container for Ukraine here.