Mark Kalimin

BIO

Mark has been actively involved in the Toronto Ukrainian Community through his extensive volunteer work and appreciation of Ukrainian culture.  

He has dedicated over 10 years of volunteer service with the Plast Ukrainian Youth Association on local and national levels. Nationally, Mark worked as a youth camp counsellor at numerous national youth jamborees. Mark also served as a judge for Orlykiada; a North American competition for Plast youth members, focusing on leadership and Ukrainian culture and history. He also prepared and mentored youth for the Orlykiada competition. At the local level, Mark served as a youth counsellor at weekly meetings for 7 years. As well as, continuously participated in the preparation and execution of overnight summer camps over the past 10 years. During COVID, despite numerous challenges and restrictions, Mark and a small team planned and executed a very successful overnight youth camp. For this camp, they each received the 2021 Community Recognition Award – Covid Hero. Mark is also the recipient of the Ontario Youth Volunteer Service Award for 5+ Years of Service. 

Mark’s commitment and love of Ukrainian culture also manifests itself through his 18-year career with the Ukrainian Academy of Dance and Arkan dance group, with whom Mark toured internationally on many occasions.  

Most recently, as the war broke out in Ukraine; Mark began to utilize his design background to help support Ukraine during these turbulent times. Saint Javelin inspired him to create and produce various stickers and decals which he sells on his Etsy store; MarkerMarkStudio, with all proceeds going to various humanitarian organizations supporting Ukraine. He also volunteered with Perogies for Peace, in which he made and sold perogies to raise funds for Ukraine.