Canada Strong campaign raises $3.29M for families of victims of downed plane in Iran
Total includes$1.79M raised by campaign, $1.5M matched by federal government
A national campaign has raised $3.29 million for family members of those killed when a Ukrainian airlines flight was shot down over Iran in early January, officials announced on Sunday.
Mohamad Fakih, CEO of Paramount Fine Foods, said the Canada Strong campaign raised $1.79 million over five weeks, surpassing the original goal of $1.5 million, and the federal government matched donations up to a maximum of $1.5 million.
"You did this, Canada!" Fakih said in a tweet. "It's been one of the greatest privileges of my life to see community after community step forward to support our own. Thank you!"
On Jan. 8, Iranian military forces brought down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, killing 176 people. Fifty-seven of those who died were Canadian citizens, while dozens of others were bound for Canada.
Fakih made the announcement at the Persian Palace in Richmond Hill, Ont., flanked by Toronto Mayor John Tory, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, among others.
Shortly after the plane was shot down, Fakih created the Canada Strong campaign in the hopes of helping the families of the 57 victims with expenses.
All donations from the campaign will go to the Toronto Community Foundation to help the families cover funeral costs. Donors will receive a tax receipt for their donations.
The total raised for the families of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/flight752?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#flight752</a> was $3.29 million dollars! YOU DID THIS, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CANADA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CANADA</a>. It’s been one of the greatest privileges of my life to see community after community step forward to support our own.Thank you ! we have shown that, together, we are <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanadaStrong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CanadaStrong</a> <a href="https://t.co/ELdtT0wLXH">pic.twitter.com/ELdtT0wLXH</a>
—@mohamadfakih8Proud to join <a href="https://twitter.com/mohamadfakih8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MohamadFakih8</a> and elected officials to share that the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanadaStrong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CanadaStrong</a> Campaign raised $3,293,624 through donations and federal matching funds to help the families of the victims of Flight 752. <a href="https://t.co/ejmEvebyMG">pic.twitter.com/ejmEvebyMG</a>
—@JohnToryProud that the City of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brampton?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Brampton</a> could participate in <a href="https://twitter.com/mohamadfakih8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mohamadfakih8</a>’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanadaStrong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CanadaStrong</a> campaign to help the families of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flight752?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flight752</a>. The effort raised an incredible $3,293,624.75. In the midst of this unimaginable tragedy Canadians came together to show love. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cdnpoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/onpoli?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#onpoli</a> <a href="https://t.co/MxfFRngERk">pic.twitter.com/MxfFRngERk</a>
—@patrickbrownontProud to stand with <a href="https://twitter.com/mohamadfakih8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mohamadfakih8</a> and leaders to announce <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CanadaStrong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CanadaStrong</a> exceeded its goal, raising $3.29M for the families of the victims of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flight752?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flight752</a>. Through the generosity of our businesses and community, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mississauga?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mississauga</a> raised $257,000 in just over a week 🙏 Thank you! <a href="https://t.co/Dj6FcAm24a">pic.twitter.com/Dj6FcAm24a</a>
—@BonnieCrombie