On April 10, 2022, a fundraiser to support Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine was held at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM).

The PCCM boomed with lively retro-music from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Over a hundred people danced on the floor following the lead of the energetic Rhiz Aco and her team of Zumba instructors on stage. Everyone knew they were not just dancing to keep fit but also to raise funds to help the people of war-ravaged Ukraine.

Rhiz Aco of the Winnipeg Retro Fitness (RFI) group and Groove Express, together with PCCM president Virgie Gayot, hatched the idea of a “Stand for Ukraine” fundraiser after one of Rhiz’s RFI students who has ties with Ukraine asked, “Why don’t you try to make some fundraising for Ukraine?”

It was not a difficult decision to make for Rhiz, the RFI squad, Virgie and the PCCM team. Everyone got on board and for almost a month before the event, tickets of $10 each were sold to the public. “Everyone had a blast and we felt love all around.. a million thanks to all who supported our fundraiser.. a total of $3,255 will be handed to the Canadian Red Cross before the end of April,” said Rhiz Aco.